Review: RIVERDANCE celebrates its 20th Anniversary at Wolf Trap

It all started during an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Since that day, Riverdance" has evolved into a two act show and it continues to take the dance world by storm. The Shannon Troupe of "Riverdance," directed by John McColgan with compositions by Bill Whelan and produced by Moya Doherty, stirs up the tide with their traditional Irish dance along with a tidal wave of tap, flamenco, and Russian folk dances at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

The Riverdance Irish Troupe, led by principal dancers Maggie Darlington and Jason O'Neill, are hypnotic to watch throughout the show as they display their remarkable footwork throughout the show. The top Irish dances within the show are certainly "Thunderstorm" and "Anna Livia." "Thunderstorm," performed by the Riverdance Male Irish Dance Troupe with a solo by Jason O'Neill, is a high energy performance with such thunderous footwork that is easily felt throughout one's body. "Anna Livia," Riverdance Female Irish Dance Troupe and led by Maggie Darlington, is a haunting performance that combines beautifully choreographed footwork with a goose bump inducing recitation of a verse from Finnegans Wake by James Joyce. A standout group number "American Wake," which features the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe and Singers, is a fun number that highlights Irish social dancing. Although "Riverdance" is mostly known for its Irish dancing, its other highlighted forms of dance including tap, flamenco, and Russian folk dances dominate the stage equally with the beloved Irish dancing.

"Riverdance" takes one from the shores of Ireland to Spain, Russia, and America. "Firedance," performed by flamenco soloist Marita Martinez-Rey along with the Riverdance Male Irish Dance Troupe, is a fiery passionate performance. From Spain to Ireland, "Riverdance" also includes Russian folk dances. The Riverdance Russian Folk Ensemble twirls and reels onto the stage with "Macedonian Morning/The Russian Dervish", which highlights the troupe's superb lifts and highflying jumps. "Trending Taps," one of the most entertaining performances and a clear audience favorite, features the Riverdance Male Irish Dance Troupe led by Jason O'Neill, as well as, the sensational tappers Michael Everett and Tyler Knowlin. The tappers go literally toe to toe with the Irish dancers in a dance off. Throughout "Trading Taps," Everett and Knowlin are light on their feet and move across the stage with such ease to the accompanying jazz music.

"Riverdance" certainly won't be complete without solid music supporting the dancers. The Riverdance Musicians are a quartet consisting of Mark Alfred (Drums/Percussion/Bodhrán), Matt Bashford (Uillean Pipes/LowWhistle/ Tin Whistle), Ken Edge (Saxophone), and Pat Mangan (Fiddle). Under Mangan's musical direction, the musical interludes, such as "Slip into Spring - The Harvest," are songs that swell and move the audience with raw emotion. One of the most powerful songs, which is sung by the entire cast of "Riverdance," is the "Heal their Hearts - Freedom," led by talented Michael Everett, who is the baritone soloist for the song, stirs the spirit and resonates the hope of immigrants so well in a time in which immigration is a hot topic.

Longtime fans are sure to be thrilled to hear their favorites and first timers are sure to be swept up in the river sensation of "Riverdance." With 20 years of bringing Irish dancing to audiences worldwide, "Riverdance" truly is worth the celebration. In order for "Riverdance" to continue its evolutionary trajectory up, it needs to be able to continue to fuse Irish dance with the other types of dance and expand its story.

"Riverdance" runs until June 19th, 2016. The show runs 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Tickets can be purchased online.

Photo caption and credit: The Riverdance Troupe peforms "Anna Livia." Photo by Rob McDogall.

To post a comment, you must register and login.