CLEVELAND Dance sensation energetic as ever

The genre-defying act melds many cultures and musical styles.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The crowd in Cleveland went wild Friday night as the Irish phenomenon "Riverdance" opened at the State Theater in Playhouse Square.
After more than a decade of performances all over the world, this show is still leaving the audience screaming, cheering and standing with thunderous applause.
What is it about this show that makes it so sexy, seductive, mesmerizing and irresistible?
Until "Riverdance," Irish dancing was hardly the rage. When Michael Flatley choreographed the original show, a seven-minute act that aired to 300 million people at the April 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, people were stunned by his new style.
It incorporated upper body gestures: sensual movements of the arms, the ladies tossing their heads, passionate glances between male and female dancers.
Irish dancing suddenly became cool, pop, modern. Couple that with the extraordinary musical talents of composer Bill Whelan, and the show was an instant hit. The full-blown version opened in Dublin on Feb. 9, 1995, and sold out for five weeks. It still hasn't lost its momentum.
Ireland and beyond
What makes this piece even more appealing is its integration of Irish dance and instrumental and choral music with pop, jazz and music of other cultures. The whole becomes an eclectic blend, a beautifully woven fabric where all the threads create a seamless work of art that becomes much more than an Irish show -- a new genre in itself.
There have been numerous subtle changes in this work since its original inception, keeping it fresh and original even to those who have seen it many times. The most gorgeous scene in this version was the entrance of the sultry and provocative Flamenco dancer.
Dressed in red and orange, she entered at the top of the steps and began her slow and sensual descent against a backdrop of flames, a romantic flickering of candles.
While most of this show is serious and emotional, humor played a role, too, in the form of the Irish dancers and tap dancers trying to outdo each other in fancy footwork. The Moscow Folk Ballet wowed us with its acrobatic feats, and even the instrumentalists each had a chance to shine.
The percussionist, Stephan Holloway, was incredible. The lead dancers and the rest of the troupe were no less exciting than the original cast.
But even with all the visual stimulation, ultimately, it is Whelan's score that keeps this show so memorable. His ability to create Irish music with a jazz or rock beat, his use of uneven meters and syncopation in an energetic dance piece, juxtaposed against a choral work with lush harmonies, has created a trademark sound for this work.
Even if you haven't heard "Riverdance" since it was first released, you will remember these tunes. The show is well worth the drive to Cleveland and continues today at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
XTickets: (800) 766-6048 or www.playhousesquare.org.