Riverdance at the FOX Theatre, January, 2023

FOX THEATRE

Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show

Photo by Jack Hartin, 2020

FEET, DON’T FAIL ME NOW

Brianna Doran, part of Riverdance’s 25th Anniversary Show, has perfected her footwork—and her stamina

STORY BY Page Leggett

Not every Eurovision act goes on to international superstardom. But some do. ABBA won the European songwriting competition in 1974. Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias and Olivia Newton-John all represented their home countries in the annual challenge.

And in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a then-unknown Irish dance troupe performed as an interval act. Soon after, husband-and-wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it into a stage show that premiered—and broke box office records—in Dublin in 1995.

The exuberant show came to America—specifically, Radio City Music Hall in New York—in 1996 for eight sold-out shows. Since its premiere, Riverdance has been seen in more than 450 venues worldwide by more

Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show Photo by Jack Hartin, 2020

than 25 million people, making it one of the most successful dance productions ever.

And now, a reinvigorated, 25th anniversary production is visiting Atlanta as it dances its way across North America. The touring production has all the energy and nonstop movement associated with the show, but innovative new lighting, projection, stage and costume designs are now in the mix.

DANCING SINCE SHE WAS 2

And a young woman from Raleigh, North Carolina will be living her dream by being part of the company. Brianna Doran joined last summer, took a break to finish school (she recently earned her associate’s degree in business) and has now rejoined.

Doran, 20, started dancing when she was 2. By 5, she’d picked up Irish dancing—characterized by its fast, intricate footwork and dancers maintaining a rigid upper body—and loved it right away. Her dad was born and raised in County Down, Ireland, so she has a familial connection to the art form.

Doran can’t recall how old she was when she saw Riverdance for the first time, but it was at her local theatre, the Durham Performing Arts Center, and she became “immediately obsessed with it.”

“It’s what really pushed me to keep going in Irish dance,” she said. “I remember, after seeing the show live, looking at all the YouTube videos and listening to the soundtrack. And ever since, I knew that being in Riverdance was my main goal. For me, it was going to be less the competitive side and more performing.”

That’s not to say she hasn’t competed. In 2017, she came in 45th in the global Irish Dance Championship. In the United States, she placed third in our Southern region in 2021 and 2019 and second in 2018.

SO MANY EMOTIONS

Doran appreciates more than just the fancy footwork; she likes the history Riverdance conveys. “There’s a whole story involved with Riverdance and so many different emotions,” she said. “Act I is all about Irish myth and legend. In Act II—called ‘Departing to New Lands’—we introduce flamenco, tap and dervish.”

Riverdance represents the pinnacle for anyone in Irish dancing interested in performing, Doran said. Her training ground: the Triggle Academy of Irish Dance in Raleigh. “My teachers there have helped me tremendously,” she said. “They both were in Riverdance, and one – Andrew O’Reilly—will be on tour with me, as well.”

When we spoke, she was in Raleigh rehearsing. “I’m going over the choreography and drills and making sure my stamina is perfect,” she said. The word stamina came up repeatedly in our conversation. It’s essential

for every member of the company. “I make sure I’m physically fit and eating correctly,” Doran said of her training regimen. “It’s like training for a marathon, basically.”

For all the artistry and storytelling that are part of Irish dance, it’s also— and maybe first and foremost—athletic. “I don’t know of any sport more strenuous than Irish dancing,” Doran said. “It’s physically exhausting. It’s just the constant pounding on your feet.”

“COMPLETELY AMAZED”

While each dancer is responsible for learning the choreography in advance, it becomes very collaborative once they join the tour. “It’s on you to make sure you have that stamina, but everyone is very supportive of each other once we all come together,” Doran said.

“When you’re spending all that time together, you get very close to people; they start to feel like family,” she added. About 30 people are part of the “Lee” company, including the four-piece band. (Every Riverdance company is named after a river in Ireland. This company is named for the River Lee in County Cork.) So, the 30 comprise one big family.

Doran said she thrives on the energy she gets from an audience and the fans she sometimes meets after the show. “After one performance last year, there were a bunch of young kids that came up to me who said they wanted to learn Irish dance,” she said. “My love for it really started because of seeing this show, and I love that children today are also being inspired. Everyone who sees it for the first time is completely amazed.”

Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show Photo by Jack Hartin, 2020

ABHANN PRODUCTIONS Presents

Costume Designer JOAN BERGIN

For HIGH RES Lead Designer PETER CANNING Lighting Designer ANDREW VOLLER Poetry Written by THEO DORGAN

Sound Designer MICHAEL O’GORMAN Set Designer ALAN FARQUHARSON Motion Graphics COSMO AV

Orchestrations by NICK INGMAN and BILL WHELAN Press Representative POLK & CO.

CAST

The Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe

Principals

Will Bryant, Maggie Darlington, Amy-Mae Dolan, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, Fergus Fitzpatrick, Matthew Gardiner

Troupe

Brandon Asazawa, Belle Brenton, Kieran Bryant, Morgan Bullock, Gerard Byrne, Keeva Corry, Sean Crosby, Courtney D’Angelo, Brianna Doran, Michael Gardiner, Sarah Gaughran, Ronan Kelly, Meadhbh Kennedy, Jordan McCormick, Emily McFadden, Faith Moore, Olivia Nachtigal, Andy O’Reilly, Cian Porter, Dylan Schloss, Zoe Talbot, Mairead Trainor, Ellie-Mae Wheeler

The Riverdance Band

Mark Alfred Drums / Percussion / Bodhrán/ Musical Director Cathal Croke Uilleann Pipes / Low Whistle Haley Richardson Fiddle Hannah Riches Saxophone

The Riverdance Singers and Drummers Members of the Company

The Riverdance Flamenco Soloist Rocio Dusmet

The Riverdance Russian Folk Dance Troupe

Elena Macovei, Stefan Mircea, Ana Turcan, Eugeniu Turcan

The Riverdance Tappers Lamont Brown, Dharmesh Patel

Poetry Narrated by John Kavanagh

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL IRISH DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL FLATLEY ORGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY BY MAVIS ASCOTT, JEAN BUTLER, JOHN CAREY, BRENDAN DE GALLAI, COLIN DUNNE, CAROL LEAVY JOYCE, EILEEN MARTIN, PAULA NIC CIONNATH, MARIA PAGES, TARIK WINSTON

RIVERDANCE 25th ANNIVERSARY SHOW

ACT ONE

REEL AROUND THE SUN

The Riverdance Male Irish Dance Principal & Troupe

Original Choreography: Michael Flatley

THE HEART’S CRY

The Riverdance Singers

THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN

The Riverdance Female Irish Dance Principal, Troupe and Folk Dance Troupe

Original Choreography: Jean Butler, Moscow Folk Ballet Company

CAOINEADH CHÚ CHULAINN (LAMENT)

The Riverdance Irish Piper

THUNDERSTORM

The Riverdance Male Irish Dance Principal & Troupe

Original Choreography: Michael Flatley

FIREDANCE

Flamenco Soloist and the Riverdance Male Irish Dance Troupe

Original Choreography: Maria Pagés, Colin Dunne

SHIVNA

The Folk Dance Troupe and the Riverdance Singers

Original Choreography: Moscow Folk Ballet Company restaged by Svetlana Malinina

SLIP INTO SPRING - THE HARVEST

The Riverdance Musicians

RIVERDANCE

The Riverdance Irish Dance Principals, Troupe, Singers & Drummers

Original Choreography: Mavis Ascott, Michael Flatley (Irish Dance Step Choreography), Jean Butler (Female Solo Choreography)

RIVERDANCE 25th ANNIVERSARY SHOW

ACT TWO

AMERICAN WAKE

The Irish Dance Troupe

Original Choreography: Michael Flatley, Paula Nic Cionnath (Set Dance Consultant)

LIFT THE WINGS

The Riverdance Singers

TRADING TAPS

The Riverdance Male Irish Dance Principal & Male Troupe and the American Tappers

Original Choreography: Colin Dunne, Tarik Winston

MACEDONIAN MORNING /THE DERVISH

The Riverdance Musicians & the Folk Dance Troupe

Original Choreography Dervish: Moscow Folk Ballet Company restaged by Svetlana Malinina

RITMOS DEL CORAZON/ANDALUCÍA

The Flamenco Soloist, the Riverdance Male Irish Dance Principal, the Riverdance Drummer

Original Choreography: Colin Dunne, Maria Pagés

ANNA LIVIA

The Riverdance Female Irish Dance Principal & Troupe

Original choreography: John Carey. Additional text adapted from James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake by Bill Whelan

SLOW AIR & TUNES

The Riverdance Musicians

HOME AND THE HEARTLAND/ HEARTLAND

The Riverdance Irish Dance Principals and Troupe and the Riverdance Singers

Original Choreography: Michael Flatley, Colin Dunne, Jean Butler

FINALE

The Company

Story by Bill Whelan, Moya Doherty and John McColgan. Music and Lyrics by Bill Whelan. Original Principal Irish Dance Choreography: Michael Flatley

At certain performances, alternative principal performers will dance the principal roles. Cast and content may be subject to change without prior notice.

RIVERDANCE CAST & BAND

THE RIVERDANCE IRISH DANCE TROUPE

The Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe are world-class Irish dancers. They hail mostly from Ireland, but also from Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia. Between them the dancers can boast of hundreds of championships won in Ireland and abroad. Most started dancing at three or four years of age at local dance schools and progressed to world championship level before being chosen to perform in Riverdance. The dancers would have known and competed against each other at various competitions, including the World Championships. Riverdance has given them the opportunity to perform together for the first time in a non-competitive way. The grace and eloquence of their soft-shoe dance and the power and precision of their hard-shoe routines clearly display the endless hours of practice and their dedication to the art of Irish Dance.

THE RIVERDANCE PRINCIPAL DANCERS FEMALE LEAD DANCERS

MAGGIE DARLINGTON

Maggie began dancing with the Claddagh School of Irish Dance in California. She won four North American Championships, two All-Ireland Championships and in 2007 won the World Irish Dancing Championships. In 2010 Maggie performed the lead role in Busch Gardens’ production Celtic Fyre and originated the lead female role in Battle of the Dance. She joined the cast of Riverdance in 2011 and became a Principal Dancer, touring extensively with the show in North America and internationally. She was a Principal dancer with Heartbeat

of Home. Maggie was most recently involved with the dance production for the film Riverdance The Animated Adventure

AMY MAE DOLAN

Amy Mae from Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland danced for the Carson Kennedy Academy in Belfast. She won the World Irish Dance Championships and many other major titles. On completion of the Riverdance Summer School she achieved her lifelong ambition to join Riverdance in 2016. AmyMae featured in the BBC’s Born to Riverdance which followed her journey to become the Principal Dancer in the cinema release of the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show filmed in the 3Arena Dublin. AmyMae is a reformer Pilates instructor and creates content for her YouTube channel and Instagram. She would like to thank her family, friends and teachers for their continued love and support and everyone involved in Riverdance for their unrelenting inspiration and endless encouragement.

ANNA MAI FITZPATRICK

Anna Mai began her dance journey at the age of four and danced competitively for sixteen years alongside her brother Fergus. She knew from a young age that Irish Dance was her passion. She won many major championships including the All-Ireland Championships, Great Britain Championships and the British Nationals. Anna Mai joined Riverdance and toured China with the fantastic cast which included her brother Fergus. She moved into the principal role in 2020 and toured extensively with the 25th Anniversary Production including the UK national tour, Expo Dubai, the North American

tour and most recently in Dublin, Ireland. Anna Mai has also toured with Heartbeat of Home and made her debut as Principal Dancer in the famous Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End.

MALE LEAD DANCERS

WILL BRYANT

Born in Sydney, Australia, Will trained with the Halloran Dance School in Irish, ballet, contemporary and tap from the age of four. Will performed lead roles in musical productions and made regular appearances on TV. At university he studied for a Bachelor of Music and is an accomplished guitarist. An ambitious athlete, Will is studying personal training on and off tour. Following an impressive competitive Irish dance career, placing top-three internationally and winning state and national titles, he went on to perform with Celtic Illusion and Heartbeat of Home. In 2014 he joined Riverdance and has toured worldwide. Will is thrilled to be part of the lead team.

FERGUS FITZPATRICK

Fergus from Co. Meath, Ireland discovered his passion for dance at the age of eight. With his sister Anna Mai, he grew up competing internationally in Irish dancing competitions. Under the tutelage of Holly and Kavanagh Academy of Irish Dance, Fergus achieved his dream of becoming a World Champion in 2017. He joined Riverdance performing in the renowned Gaiety Theatre Dublin. As a Principal Dancer he has performed in many prestigious venues including Radio City Music Hall, New York and the Hammersmith Apollo, London. His other productions include Heartbeat of Home in London’s Piccadilly Theatre and The Palladium. Fergus is grateful for the continued support of his friends and his family.

MATTHEW GARDINER

Matthew began Irish dancing in Denver, Colorado and moved to Galway, Ireland and continued dancing under the Hession School of Irish Dance. He won 30 major championship titles, including 3 World championships. With his brother Michael, they created Irish dancing history when they won their respective World titles in the same year. Matthew attended the Riverdance Summer School and was selected to join Riverdance in 2017. He performed in the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show in the 3Arena, Dublin (2020), on the UK National Tour (2021) and North American Tour (2022) and joined the lead team at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Matthew and his brother Michael showcase their creative side with @ gardinerbrothers and they have over 350 million views on social media. Matthew is a qualified Civil Engineer from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a championship winner in tennis, soccer and basketball.

THE RIVERDANCE BAND

MARK ALFRED (Drums, Percussion, Bodhrán and Musical Director)

Mark Alfred from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Performing Arts College, Dublin. He is most recognized as being the Musical Director, drummer and percussionist in Riverdance. His ability to cross so many genres coupled with a unique and energetic style has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after and highly regarded drummers and percussionists of today. Mark has worked with Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Katie Melua, Josh Groban, The Corrs, Imelda May, Paddy Moloney (The Chieftains), The Divine Comedy, Mary Coughlan, Ronan Keating, Westlife, Girls Aloud, Donny Osmond and the late Christy Hennessy. Mark

recorded drums and percussion on Bill Whelan’s Riverdance 25th Anniversary album. He made his debut on London’s West End with the hit show Come From Away at London’s Phoenix theatre. Mark proudly endorses: Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vater Drumsticks, Protection Racket Cases, Sensaphonics, and Porter and Davies Thrones.

CATHAL CROKE (Uilleann Pipes and Whistles) Dublin born uilleann piper Cathal Croke, a Senior All Ireland Champion and Honours Graduate in Music from the University of Limerick, has performed at festivals and toured with productions in numerous countries spanning five continents. He has played for two Presidents of Ireland, was recorded by RTÉ, has shared the stage with Ralph McTell and was recorded in the Hollywood production, There You’ll Find Me starring actors Vanessa Redgrave and Patrick Bergin, music scored by Timothy Williams. Touring with Heartbeat of Home from 2018, Cathal has performed in the London Palladium and later in 2019 in the West End run in the Piccadilly Theatre. LondonTheatre Direct“Special mention to Cathal Croke for a particularly haunting solo on the uilleann pipes”. More recently, he was appointed as the Musical Director of a new Irish music and dance show. He debuted with Riverdance in the Gaiety Theatre Dublin in 2019 and then toured with the show in Minneapolis and Chicago, on the UK national tour and at Expo Dubai. Cathal is honoured to be performing with the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show

HALEY RICHARDSON

(Fiddle)

Haley Richardson is a virtuosic musician who has garnered many prestigious awards, including multiple championships at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All Ireland

Championships), numerous MidAtlantic Championships, and the coveted Fiddler of Dooney awards (2015 and 2018). She brings a rare dynamism and energy to her music, informed by thorough knowledge of the form, mastery of her instrument, and trailblazing, show-stopping technique and emotion evident in every note. Haley’s most recent album, When the Wind Blows High and Clear, with Quinn Bachand, was nominated for 2020 Ensemble of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Haley appeared in the cinema release of Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show at the 3Arena, Dublin, and was invited by Bill Whelan, to record on the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Album. www.HaleyRichardsonMusic.com @haleyrichardson.music

HANNAH RICHES

(Saxophone)

Hannah Riches is a freelance saxophonist and woodwind player based in London having studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She predominantly works in musical theatre, most recently touring the UK with Dreamgirls Hannah has also worked with the Mariinksy Theatre Orchestra, Chineke Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra. Her saxophone quartet Marici Saxes has performed across Europe and in 2019 toured China. The group have broadcast live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme and have amassed nearly 2 million views of their popular YouTube videos.

THE RIVERDANCE DERVISH ENSEMBLE

The Riverdance Folk Dance Ensemble combines elegance and grace with verve, dynamism and joyous physicality. The company’s dancers come from a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds and from many different countries throughout Eastern Europe. What they have in

common is a dedication to dance and many years of training and performance in pursuit of perfection in their chosen art. Working as individual performers, they have come together for Riverdance, where they will share their individual talents and fuse the many elements that have gone into the development of their own unique style of dance.

THE RIVERDANCE FLAMENCO SOLOIST ROCIO DUSMET

Born in Madrid, Spain Rocio began her professional career when she was eight years old. She graduated from the Royal Professional Conservatory of Dance Mariemma in the specialty of Spanish Dance in Madrid. In 2012 Rocio was awarded the Spanish Dance Prize at the XVI National Call for Dance City of Castellón. Rocio has toured France, China, Mexico, Colombia, Italy, Russia, Latvia and the United Arab Emirates as a dancer in the companies of Aida Gómez, Ibérica de Danza, Ballet Carmen Mota, Compañía Jesús Lozano, Inc. Ángel Manarre, and soloist dancer at the Festival d’Avignon. Her most recent work as a dancer and actress includes the musicals Dirty Dancing, Disney Mickey’s Music Festival and the Circus of Horrors

THE RIVERDANCE TAPPERS LAMONT BROWN

Lamont is excited to be back with Riverdance 25th Anniversary show. He performed as Andy Lee in the national tour of 42nd Street, featuring the iconic choreography by Randy Skinner. He worked on Norwegian Cruise Line performing Warren Carlyle’s choreography as a Tap Brother in After Midnight. He has most recently been seen in the World Premiere of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Paper mill Playhouse and the Broadway National Tour of White Christmas. His regional work includes Hairspray, Singin’ in the Rain

and Jared Grimes’ new production of 42nd Street at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in Minnesota and Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. He has been fortunate enough to work alongside some of New York’s most sought-after theatre choreographers, including Denis Jones, Al Blackstone, Lorin Latarro, Jeff Whiting, Jason Sparks, Richard J. Hinds, Dewitt Fleming, Shannon Lewis, Mary Anne Lamb and Lisa Gajda. Lamont is a New York-based performer and choreographer. Graduate of the Dance Theatre Conservatory at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Proud member of the Actors Equity Association. @LamontBrownNyc LamontBrownNyc.com

DHARMESH PATEL

Dharmesh Patel graduated from the Doreen Bird Performing Arts College in 2007. Since graduating he has performed in numerous operas for the English National Opera and the Royal Opera House and at Buckingham Palace, London for King Charles III. He starred on Sky 1’s Got to Dance as a semi-finalist and he’s also a member of Plague, who won the World Hip Hop International Championships in both 2005 and 2011. He was one of the original cast in Bodyguard the Musical in London’s West End and has choreographed and performed for Cirque Du Soleil.

BILL WHELAN COMPOSER

Bill Whelan has composed music for theatre, film and orchestra. His 1997 Grammy Award-winning music Riverdance continues to be performed around the world. To coincide with the 25th anniversary tour, Bill completed a new studio recording of the music from Riverdance, released by Decca/ Universal Records, featuring many of the young musicians who play the music live with the show. He

also recently finished recording a new score for the animated feature film, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure. His orchestral works include: The Seville Suite, Spirit Of Mayo, The Connemara Suite and Linen & Lace. His musical settings of the literary works of Irish writers include the poetry of WB Yeats, Paul Muldoon, Derek Mahon, Tom McIntyre, Frank McGuinness and Paul Durcan. His music for film includes scores for Dancing At Lughansa starring Meryl Streep, Some Mother’s Son featuring Helen Mirren and Lamb with Liam Neeson. As a producer in the studio he has worked with U2, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Richard Harris, The Dubliners, Planxty, Andy Irvine, Davy Spillane and Bulgarian/ Irish band, East Wind. Bill is a Fellow of the Royal College of Music and holds two honorary doctorates. He is an Honorary Freeman of the City of Limerick, where he was born.

MOYA DOHERTY PRODUCER

Moya Doherty’s career encompasses the creative industries, theatre, radio and television production and presentation, both in Ireland and internationally. She fronted a number of Arts, Features and documentary programmes for RTÉ. As Executive Producer, Moya produced a number of charity Telethons, the Eurovision Song Contest and the televising of the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics held in Ireland in 2003. Moya developed the original concept for Riverdance and was the Commissioning Producer for the Eurovision Song Contest of 1994. Moya has sat on a number of arts related Boards including seven years as Chair of the Dublin International Theatre Festival, The Abbey Theatre, The Ark Children’s Theatre in Dublin, Business to Arts and Walnut Hill Arts School in Massachusetts. Moya has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including

the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Honorary Doctorates from the University of Ulster, University College Dublin & from the National University of Ireland in recognition of her ongoing commitment to the world of the arts in Ireland Since 2014 she has been Chair of the RTE Public Service Media Board.

JOHN MCCOLGAN  DIRECTOR

John McColgan is a multi-awardwinning producer and director. He was Head of Entertainment (RTÉ Television), Head of Weekend Entertainment (ITV/TVAM) and was awarded a Jacob’s Television Award (1980). He played a key role in the evolution of Riverdance from the original seven-minute dance number to the full stage show. He is founding director of Tyrone Productions whose productions include: Quirke (BBC), Beckett on Film (C4), The Hunger (RTE/ARTE), David Brophy’s Choir Series (RTE) and Born to Riverdance (BBC). John served as Chairman of the Abbey Theatre Centenary Committee and directed a critically acclaimed production of Dion Boucicault’s melodrama The Shaughraun. He produced a major theatrical event marking the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland (2011). John is the director of Heartbeat of Home which premiered in Dublin (2013), toured in North America and China and played in London’s West End (2019). He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the National University of Ireland. John is an accomplished photographer and is an Ambassador for Trócaire, one of Ireland’s largest development agencies. His recent work includes the documentary This Is Palestine and a book of his photography Looking at the Same Moon.

PADRAIC MOYLES EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/ASSOCIATE

DIRECTOR

Born in Dublin, Ireland Padraic emigrated to New York when he was nine years old. At the age of twelve he starred as the principal actor in the Off-Broadway production of Grandchild of Kings, directed by Harold Prince. Dancing under the tutelage of Donny Golden, he joined Riverdance in 1997, going on to become Dance Captain and Principal Dancer. He was nominated for an Ovation Award for his leading role in the show.  In 2006 he joined the Broadway production of The Pirate Queen as Dance Captain before returning to Riverdance in 2008. He has had the privilege to perform for a number of heads of state and notable individuals from around the world, including Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth II. Padraic is also proud to be the Executive Producer/ Director for the international show Heartbeat of Home which has toured China, North America and played in London’s West End. He was Dance Director and a choreographer on Riverdance: The Animated Adventure Padraic would like to give special thanks to his wife Niamh, his children Juliette-May and Harrison Rhys, his father, brothers and sister for their continued support. He dedicates all his work to his late mother Christine Moyles.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Juniper Street Productions is Hillary Blanken, Chris Batstone, Joseph DeLuise, Guy Kwan, Ana Rose Greene, Victoria Bullard, Ross Leonard, Sadie Alisa and Hannah Wilson.  Over the last 20 years, JSP has helped create over 130 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, over 20 national tours, and numerous Las Vegas productions. Current and selected shows include: Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge!, Tina, Beautiful, The Band’s Visit, The Color Purple, Fun Home, King Kong, Memphis, The Producers, Spider-Man and Waitress.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR STAFF

North American Press Representative

Polk & Co. – Matt Polk, Kelly Stotmeister, Colgan McNeil, Alex Seeley

Production Manager Juniper Street Productions Company Manager Ryan Parliment

Associate Company Manager Oran Ostinelli

Production Stage Manager Aaron Kennedy

Technical Stage Manager Grainne McKnight

Deputy Technical Stage Manager Diarmuid O’Dwyer (Feb 11 – Apr 5)

Irish Dance Captains Amy-Mae Dolan, Andy O’Reilly, Meadhbh Kennedy

Dervish Dance Captain Ana Turcan

Head Carpenter Timothée Courouble

Head Electrician Landon Robinson

Assistant Electrician/Relighter Dominic White

Assistant Electrician Jack Blackstock

Production Sound Kevin McGing

Head Sound/Monitors Isaac Sheppard

Assistant Sound/FOH Mixer Justin McIntyre

Wardrobe Supervisor Kristen O’Maley

Physical Therapy Lucy Vaughn, NEURO TOUR, Physical Therapy, Inc. Massage Therapy Hannah LaBoyteaux, NEURO TOUR, Physical Therapy, Inc.

Merchandising MAX MERCHANDISING LLC(randi@maxmerch.com)

FOR ABHANN PRODUCTIONS LIMITED

Directors Moya Doherty, John McColgan, David Orr

RIVERDANCE DUBLIN PRODUCTION OFFICE

Executive Producer Padraic Moyles

General Manager Sean O’Brien

Marketing Manager Mary Keatley O’Donnell Marketing Executive Jason O’Neill

Costume Shop Supervisor Monica Ennis

Accountants Ciaran Evans, Dominick Tighe

PREVIOUS CREDITS

Senior Executive Producer

Julian Erskine (1995-2020)

Set Design Mary Morrow, Robert Ballagh

Lighting Design Andrew Leonard, Rupert Murray,

Lighting Design Benjamin Pearcy, John Comiskey

Costumes for Riverdance Eurovision 1994 Margaret Crosse

Costumes for Riverdance – The Show Jen Kelly

Projection Dick Straker, Chris Slingsby

Projection Animation Benjamin Pearcy

POETRY AND MUSIC

Riverdance Poetry   Theo Dorgan

Spoken by John Kavanagh

Music orchestrations by Nick Ingram and Bill Whelan

Riverdance soundtrack recorded by Brian Whelan, Brian Masterson and Andrew Boland.  Riverdance soundtrack mixed by Brian Masterson.

THE PRODUCER WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO: RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Limited

Paul McGuinness - Principle Management, Liam Miller, Maurice Cassidy, Tommy Higgins

The Office of Public Works

The National Gallery of Ireland Elements of the Ardagh Chalice and other artefacts by kind permission of the director of The National Museum of Ireland

CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dance Flooring and Covering American Harlequin Corporation Soft Goods iWeiss Theatrical Solutions

Lighting, Video, LED Screen PRG Sound Equipment CLAIR Global Handheld Radios Proocol Telecommunications Inc Trucking Provided by Janco Ltd Tour Buses by All Access Coach Leasing and Timi’s Tours Transportation

Housing by Road Concierge Transport Sponsorship Aer Lingus www.aerlingus.com Make-Up provided by MAC Drums provided by PEARL Cymbals provided by Zildjian Drumheads provided by Evans Drumsticks provided by Vater Protection provided by Racket Cases US Immigration Counsel Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP Flamenco Consultant Yolanda Gonzalez Sobrado

Photography Deidre Buck, Barbara Corsico, Julian Erskine, Hugo Glendenning, Jack Hartin, Tom Lawlor, Joan Marcus, John McColgan, Rob McDougall, Sean Breithaupt & Yvette Monahan, Ewa Figaszewska & Fatima Caballero.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SPONSORSHIP

TOURISM IRELAND www.ireland.com

Be in with a chance to win a fantastic trip to the island of Ireland including flights and accommodation. Enter on www.ireland.com/riverdance or scan the QR code.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH RIVERDANCE

www.riverdance.com

Facebook @riverdance

Twitter @riverdance

Instagram @riverdance

TikTok @riverdance

YouTube.com @riverdance

RIVERDANCE SUMMER SCHOOL academy.riverdance.com

The Musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. Backstage Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).

ATPAM

The Press Agents and Company Manager employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.

1 Please arrive early. Latecomers may not be seated until intermission.

2 Take care of personal needs (water, restroom use) before the performance begins.

3 Please silence or turn off all electronic devices, including cellphones, beepers and watch alarms. We encourage you to share your experience via social media but please refrain from doing so or texting during performances. The glow from your device is distracting.

4 Most shows do not allow photography of any kind. Flash photography inside the theater is never allowed. It distracts those around you and endangers the performers.

5 The overture is part of the performance. Please cease talking at this point.

6 Dear lovebirds, when you lean your heads together, you block the view of those behind you. Please consider those seated behind you when choosing whether to wear a hat or what hairstyle you choose.

7 Please refrain from talking, humming or singing along with the show, except when encouraged to do so by the artists or show.

8. Please wait for an appropriate moment to dig something out of your pocket or bag.

9 Go easy with the perfume and cologne, many people are highly allergic.

10 If you need assistance during the show, please go to your nearest volunteer usher. If additional assistance is needed, the usher will get the appropriate person to further help you

“Mighty Mo”

The Fox Theatre organ, affectionately called “Mighty Mo” is performed by Ken Double. To learn more about the Fox’s historic organ, reserve a Mighty Mo Organ tour at foxtheatre.org/tours.

THE FOX THEATRE

660 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30308

404.881.2100 • www.foxtheatre.org

STAFF

Allan C. Vella

President & C.E.O.

William Renshaw Vice President & C.F.O.

Jamie Vosmeier

VP of Sales and Marketing

Steve Moore Director of Special Events

Lucy Lawler-Freas Director of Programming

Shelly Kleppsattel Booking & Contract Manager

Faustina Brooks Director of Finance

Rachel Bomeli Sr. Director of Operations

Camille Warren Director of Ticket Sales & Service

Aly Grubb Director of Marketing

Leigh Burns Director of Fox Theatre Institute

CarmillaTindal Marquee Club Manager

Saxton Scott Director of F&B

Amy Smith Director of Production

Lisa Marie Malovoz Production Manager

Courtney Greever-Fries Asst. Production Manager

Gary Hardaway Head Carpenter

Scott Hardin Head Props/Projectionist

Rodney Amos Head Audio Adam Bell Head Electrician Antonio Tiggs Head Flyman Wendy Derrick Asst. House

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edward L. White Chair Robyn Barkin Chair Elect

Mark C. Adams, Latanza Adjei, Clara Axam, Keith O. Cowan, Renee Dye, Ryan Halpern, Larry Hanson, Doug Hooker, Dr. Richard Kannwischer, Barbara King, Lauren Koontz, Sonjui Kumar, Jay Myers, Ivan Shammas, Howard Smith, Scott Taylor

EMERITUS MEMBERS

Tony Aeck, John Busby Jr., Beauchamp Carr, Rodney Cook, Ada Lee Correll, Richard Courts, Jere Drummond, Richard Flinn, Julia Grumbles, Sheffield Hale, John Holder, Walt Huntley, Edward Hutchison, Craig Jones, Steve Koonin, Charles Lawson, Starr Moore, Joseph Myers, Edgar Neiss, Carl Patton, Glen Romm, Sylvia Russell, Nancy Simms, Preston Stevens Jr., Clyde Tuggle, Carolyn Wills

Official Hotel and Restaurant of the Fox

Official Beverage of the Fox Official Energy Partner of the Fox

Official Bank of the Fox

Official Energy Partner of the Fox

THE THEATER

A fully restored 1929 “movie palace,” the Fox Theatre, with 4,665 seats, is a multipurpose facility, housing Broadway shows, ballets, comedies, concerts, movies and private corporate events.

PRIVATE EVENTS

The Fox Theatre has three private rental spaces, accommodating 25 to 1,200 guests. Our Egyptian Ballroom and Grand Salon are beautifully decorated and can be set up to your specifications. The Landmarks Lounge is adjacent to the lobby and is perfect for a small pre-show and intermission event. To book your “Fabulous Fox” evening, please call 404-881-2057 or send an email to affairsatthefox@affairs.com

TICKET OFFICE HOURS

Ticket Office hours are Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. The ticket office will open approximately 3 hours before doors on show days. Doors to the Fox Theatre open one hour before showtime. Tickets for all performances may be purchased online at www.foxtheatre.org, or by calling 855-285-8499, or visiting the Fox Theatre Ticket Office during the times listed above.

GROUP SALES

The Fox Theatre Group Sales Department offers discounts to groups for most Broadway shows. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 404-881-2000 or email sales@foxtheatre.org

CONCESSIONS

Concession stands are located in the Spanish Room, main lobby and on the mezzanine lobby level.

RESTROOMS

Restrooms are located off the main lobby (downstairs), mezzanine lobby levels and the Gallery level. Accessible restroom facilities are in the Spanish Room; accessible/ Family restrooms are located through the office door in the main lobby.

TOURS

Tour schedules vary – please visit the Fox Theatre website for updated information regarding tour dates at www.foxtheatre.org

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found items are turned in to the event staff’s office. To check on lost items, please call 404-881-2119. Lost and found items will be retained for 30 days.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

In the event of an emergency, and for your safety, please follow the directions provided by the Fox Theatre staff.

SMOKING

In accordance with the Fulton County Clean Air Ordinance, the Fox Theatre is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas.

ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY

The Fox Theatre strives to make events accessible to all guests. If you need assistance during your visit please ask for one of our Event Staff members. The Fox Theatre offers the use of wheelchairs, listening devices and booster seats at no additional charge. Our ambassadors will assist you to special restroom accommodations. Note: Steep steps lead to all seats on the upper levels. For assistance or more information, please call the Event Staff’s office at: 404-881-2100

ACCESSIBLE TICKETS

To purchase accessible seating at the Fox Theatre please call 404-881-2016 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MondayFriday or 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. A Ticket Office associate will be happy to help you. Ticket buyers may also visit the ticketing site at www.foxtheatre.org.

ELEVATORS

Elevators are at the north end of each lobby and are available during all performances. They make it possible to access each lobby without using the stairs. Patrons should be aware that access to upper seating areas do involve stairs.

PARKING

Parking is available within a four-block radius in all directions of the Fox Theatre. Advanced reserved parking is available for sale at the Fox Ticket Office or by calling 855-285-8499. The Fox Theatre assumes no responsibility for vehicles parked in any of the privately owned lots operating in the Fox Theatre district.

PERFORMANCE NOTES

All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to be admitted to the theater. Not all events are suitable for children. Infants will not be admitted to adult programs/ performances. Parents will be asked to remove children who create a disturbance.

• Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management in conjunction with the wishes of the producers.

• Please turn off all pagers and cellphones before each performance.

• Camera and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Backstage employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.)

MARQUEE CLUB PRESENTED BY LEXUS

A stunning 10,000 square feet of exclusive space located on the northeast side of the theatre, the Marquee Club has access to the fabulous rooftop terrace overlooking the iconic Fox marquee and Peachtree Street. The Marquee Club is the perfect way to elevate your experience at the Fox. The club can be accessed through one of the annual membership options or on a per-event basis, as space allows. Entry to the club must accompany a ticket to the proceeding performance. For more information on club access, visit foxtheatre.org/MarqueeClub or call 404-881-2024

FRIENDS OF THE FOX

Members of the Fox Theatre’s Friends of the Fox program help support the Fox Theatre Institute, the theater’s community engagement arm. The Fox Theatre’s legend lives on through their generosity, supporting the theater, the city of Atlanta and communities across Georgia. To learn more about the Friends of the Fox membership program, please visit www.foxtheatre.org/support-us, email membership@foxtheatre.org, or call 404.881.2023.

The Fox Theatre would like to thank the following Friends of the Fox who have given at the Legend ($10,000), Marquee ($5,000), Encore ($2,500) and Entourage ($1,000) levels:

LEGEND

The Allard Family

Drew Eckl & Farnham Gary Martin Hays & Sheri Hays

Diana Blank

Michelle Love & Matt Chambless Michael Crew

MARQUEE

Lowery & Associates Land Surveying, LLC Adam Malone

Melinda & Christopher Barber

Mary Ann & John Busby George E. Butler II

Michael & Brad Colasso

Ira & Talmer Curry, Jr.

Latanza & Solomon Adjei

Dr. Laura Braswell DDS

Ashley Cunningham Joy & Ritchie Dickey

Cindy & Steve Ensor

David M. Green Susan Atkinson Gregory Holder Properties

ENCORE

Jamie Medalie Longhurst Ripple IT

Margaret Ann Ross

Carrie & Scott Taylor

Nicole & Allan Vella ZIBEX, Inc.

Joanne & Walter Huntley

Renee Dye & Shyam Reddy

Janet & Jarel F. Rush

Carrie & Bryan Williams

ENTOURAGE

Harold Brody & Donald Smith

Carole Cole Musarra

Patricia Phelan

Catie & Ewald Ramp

Susan Starr Douglas Walker

Carolyn Lee Wills Dorothy B. Ziemer

FOX FUN FACTS

FOG DELAYED STONES, BETTE MIDLER’S GHOST AND TURNING THE STAGE INTO AN

ICE RINK

Atlanta’s Fox Theatre has played host to many world-renowned artists, from the Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to Bette Midler and Widespread Panic. In July 1976, in fact, Lynyrd Skynyrd performed for three consecutive nights, recording the album One More From the Road and donating $5,000 toward the Save the Fox campaign. In February 1993, the band played another three nights, one of which was broadcast on pay-per-view television. Here are a few other rockin’ fun facts:

• The Rolling Stones have performed at the Fox twice, to date. In June 1978, the show was first billed as “the Cockroaches,” so as not to reveal too early the true identity of the performers.

• The Stones next appeared Oct. 26, 1981, playing for a standingroom-only crowd. As history has it, the bandmates traveled to Savannah for a day-trip and, due to dense fog in Atlanta, their return flight was rerouted to Macon. The show began 90 minutes late.

• Bette Midler was scheduled for a three-night gig in February 1983. According to longtime Atlanta concert promoter Alex Cooley

(who died in 2016), when she reached her dressing room she claimed that someone had died there, that it was haunted and she would not perform. The Divine Miss M was moved to another dressing room and, apparently content enough, agreed to go onstage.

• On New Year’s Day 2005, Broadway on Ice ice-skating pros Nancy Kerrigan and Rudy Galindo took to the stage, along with Broadway’s Leslie Uggams (a Tony Award winner for Hallelujah, Baby! ). Creating an impromptu ice rink was an overnight process that called for spraying the stage with water and quickly freezing it. Again and again and again.

Atlanta’s Historic Fox Theatre | foxtheatre.com