“Riverdance” celebrates a decade of sold-out performances at Wolf Trap with six concerts of thunderous dancing, precision tapping and exotic presentation of ancient Celtic myths to the intoxicating beat of ethnic rhythms adapted by composer Bill Whelan.
After attending concerts this week by “Riverdance” troupes touring Ireland and England, Julian Erskine, senior executive producer, heads to Wolf Trap for an engagement he could not have envisioned 12 years ago at the world premiere in Dublin.
“Three weeks is all we planned initially, but the show caused immediate excitement,” he says. “Knowing it was really good, we quickly added a fourth week and it took off from there. The phenomenon could not have happened earlier. The ’90s marked a turning point for Ireland, a revolution that spirited the change.
“The nation was colonized and repressed for 800 years, so it took us two generations in the 20th century to realize that our culture had a value. Until ‘Riverdance,’ we did not have enough confidence or national pride. There was no such thing as a professional Irish dancer. It was a private endeavor represented by competitions and medals. Now it has reached a much wider arena.”
From the outset, Erskine, producer Moya Doherty and composer Bill Whelan wanted to expand the show beyond traditional Irish dances. Whelan had been experimenting with Eastern European music, so he began writing music with a European flavor that sounded Irish.
At the same time, they joined forces with the Moiseyev Dance Company. Today the participating Russian dancers, six in each troupe, are showcased as the Moscow Folk Ballet. The show also features Spanish flamenco and American tap dancing, both sharing elements in common with Irish step dancing.
“Wolf Trap is a beautiful spot and the sense of open air is so unique,” Erskine says. “The element of people on lawns, relaxing with picnic baskets and bottles of wine, is less formal than you get in a traditional auditorium with plush seats. It’s by far one of our most popular venues.”
IF YOU GO:
“Riverdance” presents Irish dance and folklore in high-stepping splendor
» When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
» Venue: Wolf Trap Filene Center
» Tickets: $40 to $70 in-house, $16 & $20 lawn
» Info: 877-WOLFTRAP
