Riverdance Closes North American Tour

The North American touring version of “Riverdance” has been continuously on tour since 1996, and has sometimes had two companies touring simultaneously. But now the tour is in its final leg, an 82 city farewell tour that will run through June. Producers say that though there is still interest in the tour from fans in the United States and Canada, the show will be focusing on new markets in South America, India and China.

The show is currently in the southeast U.S., and the next show will be held tomorrow in Southhaven, Miss. The tour will stop mostly in the eastern and Midwestern states, and will conclude with a three-night stand in Vienna, Va. on June 15-17. These shows will be held at the Wolf Trap National Park, where it has played 13 times before.

“Riverdance” was first performed in Dublin at the Pointe Theatre on February 9, 1995, and debuted in America at New York’s Radio City Music Hall the following year. Since that time, it is estimated that 22 million people have seen the show in 40 countries, and shows have been held in the Red Square and at the Great Wall of China. The show had an 18-month Broadway run at the Gershwin Theatre in 2001-2001.

The two-hour performance includes six principal dancers along with 18 troupe dancers. Additionally, the show includes a five-piece live band, a flamenco dancer and two American tap dancers. The story of Riverdance concerns Irish culture and Irish immigration to America.

While the North American tour will be ending, there will be upcoming productions in Ireland, New Zealand and Belgium later this year. There also will be a tour of India in October, as well as a 10-week tour of China. Dates have been set in Argentina and Brazil, which is the show has gone to South America.