From January 5 to January 10, 2010, the world-famous Irish dance company, Riverdance, performed at the Civic Center in downtown San Diego as a part of their “Farewell Tour.” This stunning performance riveted thousands of audience members with its mysterious essence and breathtaking presentation. Showcasing the diversity of music and dance, Riverdance incorporated many different styles of rhythmic and cultural art forms, each one of which was unbelievable and phenomenal.
The show started with fog rising as mystifying music caressed the ears of the audience members. Slowly and dramatically, one by one, the dancers of the Irish Dance Troupe walked onto the misty stage. The tension in the music slowly increased, until, at a climatic moment, all of the dancers faced the front and began to dance furiously. From that moment on, the audience was captivated.
After the opening number, “Reel Around the Sun,” the Riverdance Singers came in holding candles and sang a heart-wrenching song, entitled “The Heart’s Cry.” Following this number, was a performance by the Moscow Folk Ballet. They showcased what the Russian variation in Tschaikovsky’s Nutcracker fails to convey: the incredible athletic capabilities of the Russian folk dancer. As the Male Moscow Folk Dancers hovered in the air or achieved turns that are not humanly possible, the Female Irish Dance Troupe gracefully embellished the scene.
The audience’s energetic mood was quickly changed when a peaceful pipe melody resonated throughout the theater. It was the sweet sound of Declan Masterson, the Riverdance Irish Piper, playing “Caoineadh Chu Chulainn (Lament).” The producers of Riverdance certainly did not want the show to be predictable, for as soon as the audience had been calmed, they were violently awakened by a zestful and powerful dance entitled, “Thunderstorm,” by the Male Irish Dance Troupe. Suddenly, the entire theater became a forest in a massive thunderstorm. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and raindrops fell, as the dancers kicked their legs to the sky, and glided across the stage.
This engrossing performance continued as Irish dance and music became integrated with Flamenco, Russian folk dances, and American traditions. Perhaps most enthralling of all, was the number in which two tappers battled it out with the lead male Irish dancers. As the traditional Irish music began to blend with Harlem jazz, the battle became more and more intense. The precision of their rhythms, the energy in their bodies, and the excitement of the duel kept the audience on their toes.
No other production has ever been as diverse, flamboyant, and thrilling as the one that was put up by Riverdance this January. It is truly tragic that this highly talented company must disperse and discontinue after decades of entertaining audiences around the world.