Review: Thunderous RIVERDANCE at PPAC

RIVERDANCE, the celebration of Irish song and dance phenomenon created by Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an extensive world tour. Though the current iteration is much more stripped down than it was during the glory days, it still packs a wallop with lightning fast feet, boot stomping fiddle and a stage just bursting with talent. The microphones on the stage mean that you can hear every click and tap, and you don't quite realize the intensity of the sound until you notice that your ears are ringing afterward. Long time fans may be a bit somewhat underwhelmed, but despite the more subdued feeling, there is still a joy and electricity in seeing this show live that is thoroughly delightful.

Riverdance is more a celebration of song and dance than it is a show with a traditional narrative, though every now and then it does try to insert some plot. Loosely, the show starts out in Ireland, with emphasis on the traditional dance, and then in Act II, the dancers travel to the new world, and encounter different dance traditions, sometimes with a hilarious dance off.

What makes this show absolutely fascinating to watch, even for someone who doesn't normally attend dance performances, is the absolute precision with which the dancers move. Right in the first dance number, it's almost overwhelming to watch 20 people snap their legs down in unison as their shoes click in perfect time without missing a beat. At no point was anyone out of sync, and the tapping noise filled the cavernous space of the Providence Performing Arts Center.

The principle dancers in this production, Maggie Darlington and Bobby Hodges, have excellent chemistry, and incredibly high energy. With her long white blonde hair, Darlington is every inch the ice princess, and it's impossible to take your eyes off her. Hodges must be absolutely exhausted at the end of every performance because his feet were moving so fast they were just black blurs at the end of his legs like something out of a cartoon. It was incredibly obvious how much fun so many of them were having, and that just added to the excitement of the performance.

Other standouts include tap dancers JL Williams and Tyler Knowlin. Once our riverdancers have arrived in the new world, they encounter two tap dancers who don't have much regard for the traditional Irish stepping. What results is the funniest and most impressive display of fleet footedness one is likely to ever see. You wouldn't expect to be guffawing at Riverdance, but Williams and Knowlin in particular know exactly how to mug hilariously without saying a word. Williams also has a baritone so powerful it will astound. At the top of Act II, his song Heal Their Hearts -- Freedom, is not only the perfect way to signal that we are in a new land, but it is just a joy to listen to.

It's easy to see why this show has endured for 20 years. The frenetic dances are nicely juxtaposed with traditional Irish song, to give the audience a moment to calm down, and then it's back to more taps and kicks. Seeing it live takes it to the next level, and the cast of the 20th anniversary show are a talented bunch who clearly love what they're doing, and it's a joy to watch.

Riverdance was at Providence Performing Arts Center June 2-4. Other touring dates are at http://riverdance.com/tours

Photo: Countess Cathleen A scene from Riverdance: Countess Cathleen © Riverdance. Photography Credit: Jack Hartin

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