THE THEATER MIRROR, Boston's LIVE Theater Guide
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MARQUEE | USHER | SEATS | INTERMISSION | CURTAIN |
Set Designer
Robert Ballagh
Lighting Designer
Rupert Murray
Costume Design
Jen Kelly
Sound Designer
Michael OOgorman
Poetry Written by
Theo Dorgan
Poetry narrated by
John Kavanagh
Orchestrations by
Nick Ingman
and Bill Whelan
Executive Producer
Julian Erskine
North American Press representative
Merle Frimark Associates
COMPOSER
Bill Whelan
PRODUCER
Moya Doherty
DIRECTOR
John McColgan
When the curtain rises on this national touring company production of
RIVERDANCE, you will be mesmerized for the rest of the evening, in
a brilliant display of Irish Dance, roots of the native Irish culture with
inspiring music by the Riverdance Orchestra, and will witness the
ancestry of the Irish culture through various methods ..
The first half of this production deals with the native imagination
as it embraces the great forces and challenges of life, with "Reel Around
the Sun" and" The Hearts Cry", and "Women of Ireland."
Then comes the distant thunder--- with Michael Patrick Gallagher and
male ensemble, with a hard-shoe routine, evoking the power and dramatic
energy of thunder.
Next, comes the Firedance - symbolizing the Celtic settlers, and Slip
into spring - a slip jig, . Ending the first act, is the RIVERDANCE,
a rousing jig, and with the orchestra in full light. Michael Patrick
Gallagher and Niamh Roddy lead a group of Irish Traditional dancers to
an spectacular climax.
Act Two opens with "American Wake, and continues with "The Harbour
of the New World", with 5 sub-sections--each a division..or scene by itself.
Trading Taps was one of my favorites.....a historical look at Black tap
dancing with jigs and reels of Ireland and Scotland interwoven with American
Tap tradition with a touch of rhythmic foot stamping of African dances
with a counterpoint challenge of black tap vs jig tap. It was awesome!
That portion of the show brought many audiences members to their feet,
and they receive a thunderous applause.
The show continues to delight...with flamingo dancing, the Moscow Folk
Ballet company, and a some wonderful Riverdance soloists.
The RIVERDANCE international ended the show, with the entire company joining
in a reprise of the Riverdance theme, and you were left with a feeling
of fulfillment as the strands of the music and dance swirl around and around
in your head.
It will be in Boston from October 14th - November 1, 1998. at the Wang
Theatre, after this tour in Providence. Don't miss it ---!!!
RIVERDANCE (till 11 Oct 98)
Providence Performing Arts Center(PPAC)
Webossett Street
Providence, Rhode Island
(401) 421-2787