{"id":84994,"date":"2020-02-06T15:58:51","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T21:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=84994"},"modified":"2020-02-08T10:17:46","modified_gmt":"2020-02-08T16:17:46","slug":"riverdance-brings-25th-anniversary-show-to-chicago-stop-on-u-s-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/riverdance-brings-25th-anniversary-show-to-chicago-stop-on-u-s-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Riverdance brings 25th anniversary show to Chicago stop on US tour"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michaela Schirra and Sally Ehrmann<\/strong>
\nMedill Reports<\/em><\/p>\n

Legendary Irish themes with brisk contemporary footwork and dreamscape staging grace theaters across the country this year as Riverdance celebrates its 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n

The Riverdance show is in Chicago through Feb. 9 to present audiences with the new show highlighting traditional Irish dance, music and elaborate costumes.<\/p>\n

From the dramatic lighting to the vivid and animated backdrops, the show creates an immersive experience showcasing the heritage\u00a0<\/span>of Irish song and dance around the world.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Riverdance – 25th Anniversary Show [Anna Livia] (Photo courtesy of Riverdance, Photo credit to Jack Hartin.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>The phenomenon began in 1994 when the company entered a song contest in Dublin, Ireland, and burgeoned into the beloved performances audiences see today. Since the initial North American tour in 1996, many dancers have performed for U.S. audiences\u00a0 and show them why this form of dance is unique.<\/p>\n

Seeing the performance in 1994 blew now Lead Dancer Patrick O\u2019Mahony away and inspired him to eventually audition to join the cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I continued dancing because I knew that\u2019s what I wanted to do,\u201d O\u2019Mahony said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He continued dancing and has been a part of the company since 2012, creating a second family with his fellow dancers. In addition to creating friendships with the other cast members, O\u2019Mahony said the remastered show has new life to it, creating an amazing performing experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a timeless piece,\u201d O\u2019Mahony said. \u201cIt\u2019ll never go out of fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Riverdance\u2019s 25th Anniversary promotional poster. (Photo courtesy of Riverdance.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dancers create a timeless show but the 25th anniversary performances do have some different elements to introduce a new and different experience.<\/p>\n

The show\u2019s updated orchestrations, set and the video wall \u00a0contribute to the atmosphere and produce a show that audiences have not seen before, said production stage manager Marc Anderson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt just feels like a brand new show again,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cYou may have seen the show before, but this time it feels fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show will be on display at the Cadillac Palace Theatre until Feb. 9. To purchase tickets, visit the box office or the theater\u2019s website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n