Riverdance is a theatrical show featuring the traditional Irish dancing steps. It is known for the rapid leg movements while keeping the body and the arms almost stationary. The show was first seen during the interval of Eurovision Song Contest on April 30th 1994. Among the performers at the time were Michael Flatley, the Celtic choral group Anuna and Irish Dancing Champion Jean Butler. Bill Whelan had written the score. Choreography was done by Flatley for himself, and by Butler for herself and the group. Many from this dance troupe later went to dance the principal roles in future productions of “Riverdance the Show.”
The producers of Riverdance are John McColgan and his wife Moya Doherty. They produced the show through their company Abhann Productions which was based in Dublin. The tickets for the Riverdance's first full-length show were sold in Dublin on November of 1994, and the show opened on February 9, 1995 at the Point Theatre. Riverdance performed for five weeks and the tickets were sold out. The show was to hold a performance in London. Unfortunately, Flatley left the show because of differences with the producers before Riverdance's first performance there. In the absence of Flatley, Colin Dunne played the lead dancer, eventually performing in the succeeding productions before also leaving in 1998.
Riverdance had successful tours in different cities in Europe. The production also went to New York City on March 1996 to perform at the Radio City Music Hall. The group held its first performance in American soil, and it was a success. In 2000, Riverdance went to Broadway for one year, featuring an all new show with singers Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka. Riverdance continues to tour the world but with different format now than before, and with performances suited for smaller theatres.
