Riverdance 25th anniversary edition reviewed by Julia W . Rath

Highly Recommended ***** “Riverdance” is an abundance of riches! In its 25th anniversary year, this magnificent performance never ceases to amaze! With gorgeous singing, bold rhythmic dancing, strong instrumentals, splendid costumes, and a triumph in projection design, the show enervates the body and stirs the soul. We, the audience, are treated to a grand tour of the imagination, narrated by nymphs, sprites, leprechauns, and faeries, in an adrenaline-laden feast, sure to delight a Chicago audience as well as those from all around the world.

Top-flight dancers float across the stage, seemingly defying the laws of physics with a vital energy that, at times, doesn’t seem humanly possible. A strong sense of fantasy and mystery is conjured up as ancient legends taken from Celtic folklore are revealed one by one through the medium of song, poetry, folk music, and Irish dance. The basic story is the joint effort of producer Moya Doherty, director John McColgan, and composer Bill Whelan (whose original music and lyrics are outstanding) and is brought to fruition through original principal Irish dance choreography by Michael Flatley and poems written by Theo Dorgan. The result is a captivating dreamlike tale that allows us to commune with river and water spirits and provides the occasion for the principal dancers to shine, namely, Will Bryant, Maggie Darlington, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, Patrick O’Mahony, Jason O’Nell, and Gianna Petracic.

While there are a number of striking highlights in this show—each better than the next—one scenario stands out from the rest. It is a comedy routine where two rival street gangs—one black, one Irish—challenge each other on the streets of Brooklyn to establish whose dancers are superior. Once the gauntlet is thrown down in this impromptu competition, Lamont Brown and Tyler Knowlin have the opportunity to display their extraordinary tap skills. There is a second rivalry as well, that is, between the two solo instrumentalists: the fiddler who backs up the Irishmen and the soprano saxophonist who backs up the African-Americans.

Another break from the wistful, rustic Irish scenes occurs when our ship travels to other ports-of-call: in this case, Spain and Russia. Rocio Montoya does a rich and fiery Spanish flamenco dance against the background of fierce volcanic earth. The Russian dance troupe, while very athletic and entertaining, could have performed to more authentic Russian-type music; that is a suggestion, not really a fault. Superb costume design by Joan Bergin adds to the proverbial verve and panache of the dance numbers; the various ethnically-inspired creations are beautifully executed and coordinated. The red dress worn by Montoya is especially stunning.

Live musicians consist of Tara Howley (on the uilleann pipes, low whistle, tin whistle, and concertina), Haley Richardson (on the fiddle), Emma Frampton (on the soprano saxophone), and music director Mark Alfred (on the drums/trap set and bodharán). Strolling drummers make a special appearance playing two headed drums. There is some canned music in addition, largely guitar with some piano accompaniment.

Minimal set design by Alan Farquharson is very appropriate and buttresses the sophisticated projection design, an extraordinary combined effort by lead designer Peter Canning, lighting designer Andrew Voller, and motion graphics by Cosmo AV. This stage display is some of the very best you’ll see with its combination of realism and fantastical and whimsical elements, which evoke joy and playfulness through color, motion, and polish. Water is depicted in the form of gleaming lakes and streams, pristine rivers and waterfalls, and violent thunderstorms—providing a fitting backdrop for the Riverdance Irish troupe members and singers. Sound design by Michael O’Gorman is a treat, especially in the way that the reverberating taps are balanced with the underlying music, so that both can be heard well. (FYI: The guest I brought along explained to me that these tap shoes have special microphones in them that are wirelessly hooked into the theater’s amplification system. These shoes were perfected within the last twenty years and were first used at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.)

Additional choreographers include Mavis Ascott, Jean Butler, John Carey, Brendan De Gallai, Colin Dunne, Carol Leavy Joyce, Eileen Martin, Paula Nic Cionnath, Maria Pagés, and Tarik Winston.

The evening begins and ends with a video tribute to the show’s beginnings 25 years ago and showcases the original troupe and some of their fine choreography. Today as back then, one cannot say enough good things about the presentation.

So…. Take a break from yelling at your TV set! Do something productive: See this production! The fusion of music, drama, and dance connects with people of all ages and backgrounds and makes you feel happy inside. If you’ve seen Riverdance before, you must see it again. If you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time to treat yourself to some of the finest entertainment that money can buy. The best part is that you can just sit back in your theater seat and take it all in.

The Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show is playing in a limited one-week engagement, through February 9, 2020, at the Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph Street, Chicago.

Tickets range from $32 – $90 with a select number of premium tickets available.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, February 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 8 – 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 9 – 2:00 p.m.

Individual tickets are available by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticketline at (800) 775-2000 or by visiting www.BroadwayinChicago.com. Tickets are available for groups of ten or more by calling Broadway in Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing www.BroadwayinChicago.com.

For additional ticket information, visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com.

For general information about Riverdance, visit: www.riverdance.com.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Riverdance”.