By MARK KENNEDY – AP Drama Writer
NEW YORK
The two-hour “Riverdance” show is loosely based on the story of Irish culture and mass immigration to America, the story woven through music and dance styles including flamenco and tap. Most of the dancing is drawn from traditional Irish step dancing, in which the arms and body move little while the feet create the sound and action.
Erskine attributes the show’s success to the fact that it isn’t a cookie-cutter experience. It wasn’t pulled together to make money, but to blow the dust off Irish folk music and dance, he says, and that purity of creation shines through. Plus, the sound seems to touch a very human part of us.
“That pounding out of rhythms I suppose is quite primal. That goes back into all our cores, no matter where we’ve come from. The beating of drums is how we first communicated,” he says.
The show has lasted despite losing original stars Jean Butler and Michael Flatley, who also was co-choreographer. Flatley went on to create his own shows, “Lord of the Dance” and “Feet of Flames.”
Moyles suspects that although “Riverdance” is pure Irish, Americans have embraced it so strongly in large part due to their own immigrant heritage. “Many of them have their own folk dances. They probably see their own heritage within ‘Riverdance,’” he says.
The final North American tour will take the show to such Irish-heavy cities as Chicago, Kansas City, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Boston, and will conclude at Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna, Va., which will represent the 14th time “Riverdance” has played there.
While the show is leaving America, it has tours planned for Belgium, New Zealand and Australia. The show is also going to India in October and plans a 10-week tour of China. There are also dates set in Argentina and Brazil, which excites Erskine because “Riverdance” hasn’t been farther south in the Americas than Mexico before.
“As we are saying goodbye,” he says, “we are also saying hello.”
Best show ever. Want to see it again and again.
We saw your show in Mankato, Mn and thoroughly loved it—fantastic job !!! I vowed I would not miss your show if it ever came to our area again, so I think I may have been one of the first to get tickets when they went on sale. Thanks for the great show and good luck on the rest of your tour.
I predict Riverdance will return to the US again.it’s worth seeing over and over again. Who are the performers in the photos?
The performers in the top photo are Jessica Baffa and Nicole McKeever.
The lead female dancer is Alana Mallon and the Flamenco is Marita Martinez-Rey.
We just wanted to thank you all for a wonderful show here in Omaha, Ne. We also wanted to thank you so very much for meeting us in the lounge with Marty… My daughter Ainsley (3 years old) was very shy, but has not stopped talking about you all and hasn’t stopped practicing. She even (hop, one two threes her way through Walmart)… Thank you again for your wonderful performance and your truly beautiful hearts for taking time to encourage our little ones to dance with heart and soul… Have a safe and fun filled tour…
Just heard that Riverdance will come back to China in the end of 2012 is it true? When will the show plans be on the website?
Yes we are in the final stages of planning for a tour of China in 2012. As soon as the tour is confirmed the information will be put up onto the Riverdance website.
I loved watching the show last Sunday. I’ve seen it twice now, I saw it as it was the fare well tour but I hope u return to the states because I enjoy the show and hope to see the show again soon
are you real not coming back to the US
I attended your show this evening in Champaign, IL. I have seen it several times over the years on TV. There is nothing better than seeing it live. I left uplited by the experiance. I applaude your production, and especially your fantastic cast. I shall never forget this show!
Saw the show for the first time last night. Fantastic!! If it was close by again I would definetly go again. Loved it! Thank you and God Bless you on the rest of your journey. I do hope to see Riverdance return to the USA in the future. I am planning on buying the DVD.
Could you share the plan for the Indian tour for October please – this is so exciting!! Waiting for it!!
India is somewhere we have always wanted to visit, and we are exploring the possibility of visiting there soon, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Keep an eye on the Riverdance website and local press for tour updates.
Why are you leaving the Americas?
Pls let me know when is the show coming to India and from when would the tickets be available.
It takes great passion to come up with something that beautiful. I would not miss this show for anything in the world.
Bought the Bluray disc and the this show is really amazing words can’t describe how much i love it, i saw it thousands of times and i know that seeing it live is a lot better, Will the show ever come to the UAE in Abudhabi or Dubai? i bet the tickets will sell out within 2-3 days because many people here love this event.
We are so excited to have you here in Argentina in August!!! we’ll be waiting for you! =)