Lavish Irish Dance Comes to Poway

Murphy's Celtic Legacy is no ordinary Irish dance production. This invigorating performance is a display of styles, colors and folklore depicting age-old clashes between good and evil. Featuring dancers and musicians from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Women, Murphy's Celtic Legacy is the next- generation Irish dance spectacular.

The show's soundtrack is composed by acclaimed Irish musicians John Elliott and Gerry Conlon and is performed by a 7-piece band. Murphy's Celtic Legacy centers on an original tale developed by creator Chris Hannon (Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames) and is drawn from Irish folklore-a tale of Kings and Queens, rebels and magic, and epic battles between light and darkness. It depicts the story of the Murphy clan, who flee the corrupt tyrants of their native Eire in search of a better future. Washed ashore on the island of Ishan, they encounter the dark struggles of the paradise land, including 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.

Hannon, a former principal dancer for Lord of the Dance, named Murphy's Celtic Legacy in tribute to his grandmother, who founded the Hannon Murphy School of Irish Dancing in northeast England. After joining Lord of the Dance in 1998 at the young age of 16, Hannon rose through the ranks to become a principle dancer in 2002. He performed the lead role alongside Michael Flatley in both his Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames, an honor held by only five male lead dancers. He spent 14 years touring the world and performing in some of the most prestigious venues in the world across Europe, USA, Mexico, South Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Asia. After leaving the show in 2012, Hannon began to pursue his own dream of producing a spectacular, innovative production.

After three years of planning and producing smaller shows, this iteration of Murphy's Celtic Legacy made its world premiere in the United Kingdom in January 2015. It was a sellout. It then went onto a successful tour of the Middle East, Israel and Cyprus, and also performed across the Mediterranean.

Murphy's Celtic Legacy has delighted audiences as well in Europe and other parts of the world. In 2019 it will tour the USA for eight weeks, visit 40 cities, and make its debut appearance in Ireland.

At $45-$75, tickets for Murphy's Celtic Legacy are on sale now at www.powayonstage.org and by phoning the box office at 858-748-0505. The 800-seat Poway Center for the Performing Arts is located at 15498 Espola Rd. at the corner of Titan Way in Poway. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and two hours before curtain. Due to its generous sponsorship, GEICO Youth Tickets (for age 12 and under) are half off regular pricing. Discounts are available for seniors (65+), active duty military, and students (12-22). Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 858-668-4797.

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