MURPHY'S CELTIC LEGACY To Make North America Debut In Folsom

Featuring dancers and musicians from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Woman, Murphy's Celtic Legacy is the next generation Irish dance spectacular. Created by Chris Hannon, former principal dancer for Lord of the Dance, the choreography combines traditional Irish and Modern dance techniques, along with multimedia elements. The 19 dancers and seven-piece band weave an original tale drawn from Irish folklore-a tale of Kings and Queens, rebels and magic, epic battles between good and evil.

The company makes its North American debut at the Harris Center. "Murphy's Legacy was exciting and brilliant. The long applause was well deserved!" (The Journal - U.K.)

Murphy's Celtic Legacy's North America will occur Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2 pm. Tickets are $28-$58; Premium $68; Children & Students with ID $14-$34. Tickets are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 12 noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. Harris Center is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

Don't blink: this is no ordinary Irish Dance performance; it is a battle of styles, a clash of colors. The cast of Murphy's Celtic Legacy gives an invigorating performance of traditional Irish Dance.

The performance centers on an original tale developed by Hannon about the Murphy clan, who flee the corrupt tyrants of their native Eire in search of a better future. They land on the island of Ishan where they encounter the Ishas, the indigenous community of the Murphy's new home. Pursued by the Dark Queen of Eire, the Murphy's and the Ishas unite in their shared quest for peace and overcoming evil.

Who will come out victorious?

Created by Chris Hannon, Murphy's Celtic Legacy features original choreography combining traditional Irish and Modern dance techniques presented with multimedia elements, song, and live music. Chris draws on his long experience with Irish dance: Having competed in every major competition across the world, at the young age of 16, he went on tour with Michael Flatley and his show Lord of the Dance. By the age of 20, Chris was performing the leading role 'Don Dorcha' in both Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames, and is only one of five principal dancers to have performed this role alongside Michael in both his productions. After producing four successful pilot shows throughout 2013, Chris knew that the time was finally right to launch his own show. Murphy's Legacy premiered in January 2015.

Joining Chris onstage, Sinead Fallon (Haiderass Dark Queen) grew up in Leeds. Dancing from the age of three, she's won numerous titles and honors, including All Ireland Champion and World Champion. Dance captain Kelly Stephens seemingly has won them all: Girls under 16 World Champion, All Ireland Champion, North American Champion, British National Champion, the Great Britain Champion, and Midland Regional Champion.

Acclaimed Irish musicians John Elliott and Gerry Conlon composed the show's soundtrack, which onstage is performed by a seven-piece band. Together, the two men offer an ideal mix of varied musical experience - John's strong compositional style has found a home on HBO, CBS, BBC and Channel 4; over his illustrious career, Gerry won 12 Great Britain titles and 4 All-Ireland titles on both piano accordion and piano. He also competed in the traditional Scottish music scene, winning the All Britain Scottish Piano Accordion Championships in 1982. Additional music was written by Pat Murphy, Hattie Murdoch, Jacob William Scott, Ryan Davidson, and Lily Clarke.

The name Murphy's Celtic Legacy is a tribute to Hannon's grandmother, who founded the Hannon Murphy School of Irish Dancing in the Northeast of England.

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