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by Harvey Wasserman
February 20, 2011
OK, all you leprechauns.
Here's a Riverdance quiz for you:
What's to love about two hours of joyous dancing, singing and hypnotically upbeat music of the highest quality?
Answer: Everything!!
The absolutely lovely production of Riverdance at the Palace tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow afternoon is worth every bit of the financial and geographical inconvenience it might cost you.
I admit to an intense passion for all things Irish. I've been there twice and recommend How the Irish Saved Civilization to all who'll will listen.
But there's a reason: the Emerald Isle has intense magic, especially when it comes to music and dance.
Riverdance has been around for a while. I did see the famous Michael Flately perform Lord of the Dance at the Ohio a few years ago. That was an awesome show, but this one is actually more enjoyable.
There is no more gorgeous theater on Earth than the Ohio. But the Palace offers a bit more intimacy.
And while Flately's performance was a knockout, this one is a family affair. Lead dancer Joe Moriarity is from Pickerington. Though he lettered in football, he left after his sophomore year to pursue a career in dancing, and it's easy to see why. He is a strong, compelling performer, but a warm and engaging one.
It didn't hurt that his partner, the Scottish Alana Mallon, is beyond stunning.
The cast as a whole carries off the always-flawless choreography with aplomb and grace. The music is a joy. And the audience---the house was nearly full on a Friday night---duly appreciative, which is always a plus.
Drummer Mark Alfred and fiddler Patrick Mangan added a unique stage presence. Mangan in particular delivered lovely passages of smiling, relaxed virtuosity that were worthy of a solo concert.
The surprise of the night was an inspired segment of African-American singing and dancing. Michael Wood delivered a beautiful baritone ode to freedom, followed by a duet of ghetto-inspired tap-dancing with DeWitt Fleming, Jr.
From their initial mass immigration into the US in the 1840s, the Irish went at African-Americans without mercy. So it was a joy to watch a long, funny and in many ways poignant face-off between the dancing ethnic groups With Moriarity leading the green team, what might have turned mawkish or facile had just the right blend of edginess and virtuosity.
The staging was also tastefully appropriate. A simple changeable screen balanced limited but useful mist.
If you have the least taste for Irish music or dancing, and crave a relaxed, fun evening of skill and grace, happily delivered, don't miss this show! It's a pot of pure gold.
Here's a Riverdance quiz for you:
What's to love about two hours of joyous dancing, singing and hypnotically upbeat music of the highest quality?
Answer: Everything!!
The absolutely lovely production of Riverdance at the Palace tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow afternoon is worth every bit of the financial and geographical inconvenience it might cost you.
I admit to an intense passion for all things Irish. I've been there twice and recommend How the Irish Saved Civilization to all who'll will listen.
But there's a reason: the Emerald Isle has intense magic, especially when it comes to music and dance.
Riverdance has been around for a while. I did see the famous Michael Flately perform Lord of the Dance at the Ohio a few years ago. That was an awesome show, but this one is actually more enjoyable.
There is no more gorgeous theater on Earth than the Ohio. But the Palace offers a bit more intimacy.
And while Flately's performance was a knockout, this one is a family affair. Lead dancer Joe Moriarity is from Pickerington. Though he lettered in football, he left after his sophomore year to pursue a career in dancing, and it's easy to see why. He is a strong, compelling performer, but a warm and engaging one.
It didn't hurt that his partner, the Scottish Alana Mallon, is beyond stunning.
The cast as a whole carries off the always-flawless choreography with aplomb and grace. The music is a joy. And the audience---the house was nearly full on a Friday night---duly appreciative, which is always a plus.
Drummer Mark Alfred and fiddler Patrick Mangan added a unique stage presence. Mangan in particular delivered lovely passages of smiling, relaxed virtuosity that were worthy of a solo concert.
The surprise of the night was an inspired segment of African-American singing and dancing. Michael Wood delivered a beautiful baritone ode to freedom, followed by a duet of ghetto-inspired tap-dancing with DeWitt Fleming, Jr.
From their initial mass immigration into the US in the 1840s, the Irish went at African-Americans without mercy. So it was a joy to watch a long, funny and in many ways poignant face-off between the dancing ethnic groups With Moriarity leading the green team, what might have turned mawkish or facile had just the right blend of edginess and virtuosity.
The staging was also tastefully appropriate. A simple changeable screen balanced limited but useful mist.
If you have the least taste for Irish music or dancing, and crave a relaxed, fun evening of skill and grace, happily delivered, don't miss this show! It's a pot of pure gold.