Review: RIVERDANCE at Broadway In Tucson

RIVERDANCE has a limited engagement at Centennial Hall through April 30. This is a fast-paced theatrical dance showcase that honors Celtic culture while also including cultures from other locations, such as Brooklyn and Latin America. I knew going in that RIVERDANCE would be difficult to review because this is not my world. Dance is something I appreciate from afar, but it is not a skill set I possess. It turns out that because I am deficient in the dancing department it actually made it EASIER for me to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. This is a tour-de-force of presentation, poise, and prowess.

RIVERDANCE brings together a Melting Pot of cultures and creative set pieces. Specific mention should immediately go to Andrew Voller for lighting design and Cosmo AV for motion graphics. The projections in RIVERDANCE are stunning, and they transport you directly to Ireland and beyond. The visuals alone are worth seeing. It is difficult to put into words, but RIVERDANCE somehow manages to feel grounded and fantastical at the same time. The two hour runtime flies by, and the encore sends you out into the world with a newfound enthusiasm for life. That is the mark of a great performance.

Costumes by Joan Bergin are spellbinding and capture the magic of Ireland, Dervish dance, and beyond. Meshed with intelligent lighting, the costumes were a standout. Speaking of lighting, it should be noted that RIVERDANCE does contain some intense lighting effects including strobe. Bill Whelan's memorable music paired with John McColgan's impeccable direction produce an unforgettable evening. RIVERDANCE is, simply put, an evening of fine theatrical dining. The pace is varied, with some numbers being more upbeat and others being more lento and intimate. I didn't want the evening to end. The production really is a true pleasure to witness.

RIVERANCE, of course, would not be complete without its charismatic cast. Gerard Byrne, William Bryant, Maggie Darlington, Fergus Fitzpatrick, Olivia Nachitigal, and Mairead Trainor are irresistible as lead dancers. The Irish Dance Troupe and Dervish Ensemble need to be seen to be believed. Rocio Dusmet takes your breath away as the Flamenco dancer, and Kenji Igus and Dharmesh Patel steal the show with their tap segment, set in Downtown Brooklyn. There is so much variety of performance and culture and this I believe is another reason the evening flies by. Nothing drags, and every set piece is carefully crafted and serves a purpose.

The vocals are gorgeous. Much of the singing is straight-tone, but it delivers. The ensemble numbers are intoxicating and the solo vocals send shivers down your spine. The music is excellently delivered and full of passion. Cathal Croke on Uilleann Pipes, Emma McPhilemy on saxophone, Haley Richardson on fiddle, and Mark Alfred on Drums are the musical glue that binds this production together. Alfred was enjoyable to watch as he toyed with the audience and gave them false cues to clap during one number. Together this musical Ensemble is impressive and strong.