EXTRACT from   www.signonsandiego.com     Written by    Nina Garin

Because Riverdance has been around for 15 years, it’s easy to think that the popular Irish dancing show will be around forever, like “Cats” or “Fiddler on the Roof.”

It won’t.

Producer Moya Doherty will be closing down the North American touring production by June 2012, which means when the show returns to San Diego this weekend, it really will be the last time you can see those quick tapping feet in town.

So if you’ve never seen Riverdance, a dance sensation with over 10,000 performances around the world, it seems like the time is now.

And in honor of the long-running production, here are some fun facts about one of Ireland’s most popular exports:

The origins:  Riverdance  started as a seven-minute dance segment, choreographed by its original star Michael Flatley, on the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest (yet another reason to bemoan that the United States doesn’t air this fascinating talent competition).  It then made its world premiere in February, 1995 at Dublin, Ireland’s Point Theatre and it’s United States debut at Radio City Music Hall in March, 1996.

The popularity: That there are hundreds of spoofs on YouTube just shows what a pop culture sensation this show’s been over the years. Riverdance  has been seen live by more than 22 million people throughout 40 countries. It’s also sold more than 10 million videos, making it one of the best-selling entertainment videos, ever.

Secrets of the road: The current company travels with 60 people, which, according to the show’s spokeswoman, is about double the amount of most Broadway touring companies. Riverdance  also brings along its own special floor, which is put down over the existing stage floor. They also bring along their own massage therapists.

The future:  Before saying goodbye to the United States, the company will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii for its first engagement there.  And it won’t be completely gone as there will still be two Riverdance companies touring countries such as Australia, New Zealand and India.

When:     7:30 p.m. Friday; 2pm 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday

Where:   San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 3rd Ave., downtown

Telephone:  (800) 745-3000

Online:    ticketmaster.com  or  BroadwaySD.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: Saying goodbye in San Diego

A sneak pose at the Pantages red carpet opening night - Lauren Smyth, Maeve Fearon, Jason O' Neill and Padraic Moyles

This week, many of the dancers such as Lauren Smyth, Jason O’ Neill and Andy O’ Reilly availed of the sightseeing tour bus service which took them to many famous landmarks including Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, the houses of David Beckham and Micheal Jackson to name but a few and not to forget the Hollywood hills sign as featured on many movie scenes. An apparent highly recommended thing to add to your to-do list for those of you who are planning a visit to LA in the future!

The excitement continued on as dancers Shona Cobbe and Maeve Fearon were two of the lucky ones who made their way to the E! Entertainment studios at NBC to get up close and personal with Chelsea Handler on the set of “Chelsea Latley.” Fiddle player, Patrick Mangan decided to rent a car and I snapped up the opportunity in joining him and several members of our band on an afternoon drive through Bel Air. We made sure we took in the famous J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Centre off Sepulveda Boulevard.

The exhibits reveal a splendid collection of Western sculptures, photographs, manuscripts and paintings on display from Medieval to the present era. Racing to get back to Hollywood for the evening performance put some time constraints on our group, however the scenery from the Museum is worth the trek, even if one never sees the art!

For any of you fashionistas out there reading these blogs, I spent several hours on Melrose Avenue aimlessly wandering from boutique to boutique hungrily eyeing up the wonderful outfits on display. I had to settle for some mere window shopping however in some of the more fancy stores let me tell you! The BCBG store for women’s apparel is going to be the first store I visit, should I ever return to LA. Needless to say my purchases there kicked off my premature Christmas shopping!

Speaking of shopping and clothes, have a look at my stylefile below!

Saturday and Sunday brought four shows. Seen as we were spoilt for choice for dining in between the matinee and evening shows, the break between didn’t seem so daunting. Kitchen 24 was a favourite amongst my friends and I, offering a generous all day breakfast. Despite my numerous visits to this trendy deli, I still missed the celebrity sighting of one of my favourite actors, Forest Whitaker. Next time I’ll make it a point to see Forest! A quick stop by Amoeba records (one of California’s largest record and music store) on Sunday set my spirits high for the rest of the day.

In the meantime, I plan to enjoy my first Thanksgiving by celebrating with the cast and crew of Riverdance in Palm Desert. Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers.

Fiona

Read this on the Riverdance website: More from LA

Younghollywood.com

Lesley Robins and www.younghollywood.com trek to the historic Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of the famous Riverdance troupe!
The Lead Dancer himself, Craig Ashurst, shows them around and even teaches Lesley a few steps! Then, female lead Chloey Turner strikes a pose with Lesley, and both dancers tell what they have to do to stay in such phenomenal shape!
Hosted by Lesley Robins.

View Video  on Younghollywood.com

Read this on the Riverdance website: Getting in step with the Riverdance crew

A feast of entertainment was had by all in the exclusive Pantages Theatre in Hollywood this past week. And it wasn’t just the people of LA but also the cast and crew of Riverdance who were entertained. Despite average temperatures of 60 degrees and a closing night of heavy rain showers, we did not let the weatherman get in the way of our week.

Basing ourselves at the  comfortable, Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, we enjoyed an array of daytime and nightime entertainment. Familiarizing ourselves with LA upon arrival was exciting as we arrived relatively early having left hotel in Modesto at  8am. The cast were surprisingly upbeat and everyone seemed genuinely content to arrive in LA early to begin our week of exploration!

Monday evening saw many of the dancers wet their appetite at the hotspot restaurant “The Ivy” which claims to have frequent visits by celebrities. Too bad they weren’t a day earlier as the staff informed the cast how film director Quentin Tarantino and movie star Jamie Fox dined there no less than 24 hours prior to that. Not to worry as the hearty food was enjoyed by one and all. I however wasn’t feeling so adventurous, or rather tired quickly after a sneak peek up Hollywood Boulevard in the afternoon, thus settling for a Big Mac meal at ‘McDonalds’. And no I do not feel guilty. I enjoyed every bit of it mind you!

Behind the scenes at The Prics is Right

An early night wrapped up day one as we rose early the following morning for a visit to the CBS television studios in Beverly Hills.Ten very important Irish dancers made their way to the dressing rooms tucked away in the heart of the studio and were soon greeted by the film crew to begin rehearsals and blocking on the set of ‘The Price is Right’. How important we felt when the host Drew Carey jumped up onstage to greet us. What  a true gentleman he was taking the time and effort to handshake each of us. After several runthroughs and ‘takes’, we got into costume and reapplied makeup and hit the studio once again. How surreal it was walking next to the set of ‘the Bold and the Beautiful’! I must admit I got even more inspired standing next to Drew Carey’s dressing room. I had the urge to sit in his makeup chair but I figured I better do a little stretching and last minute limbering up session before our performance! We had a surprise when the doors drew back as fellow cast member, John Grimes and massage therapist, Susan Luger cheered us on from the audience! Not a bad way to kick off the week now was it?!

The cast of The Price is Right - Jason O' Neill, James Greenan, Lauren Smyth, Billy Kanally, Maeve Croke, Padraic Moyles, Alana Mallon, Fiona McCabe, Maeve Fearon and Andy O' Reilly

 Fiona

Read this on the Riverdance website: A busy week in LA