Riverdance returns to Cleveland in a fantastic celebration of its 25th anniversary
‘Tis grand to be Irish. It’s also grand to be Irish by marriage. It is even grand to be Irish one day out of the year on March 17th when we all gather to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Come to think of it, you can even claim a bit of the Irish heritage by attending Riverdance now on stage at the Key Bank State Theatre at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is a show full of magic and fun that young and old will love.
This 25th Anniversary Tour features 18 separate numbers that show the length and breadth of Irish music culture and dance. It also features some nice surprises including a Flamenco soloist as well as a Macedonian/Dervish Folk Dance Troupe and examples of African American tap dancing.
The music is nothing short of exquisite. The band is made up of Mark Alfred on Drums/Percussion/Bodhran as well as being Musical Director, Cathal Croke on Uilleann Pipes and Low Whistle, Haley Richardson on fiddle and Hannah Riches on Saxophone. They perform a variety of styles that include flowing gentle instrumentals to the staccato beat of the pounding feet of the dancers.
Special mention must also be made of the video motion graphics by Cosmo Av and High Res designed by Peter Canning. It really added to the show as scenes of Ireland are used as the backdrops. The show is directed by John McColgan. The principle dancers are Brandon Asazawa, Maggie Darlington, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, Fergus Fitzpatrick, Matthew Gardiner, Michael Gardiner and Meadhbh Kennedy. Each musical number is a story of its own with singing, dancing and instrumentals filling the vast nearly sold out KeyBank State Theatre.
There is a good reason why this two hour show flies by so quickly. It is simply stunning. Between the rapid pace dancing, the various themes, the intriguing music and the lavish costumes and stage set it is impossible not to fall be totally taken about with this show as it celebrates its quarter of a century anniversary.
Riverdance will be on stage in the KeyBank State Theatre for just four more performance, Saturday, March 4th 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5th 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.