Riverdance 15th Year Celebrations on Broadway!

March 30, 2010

Kevin Horton, Dancer, Boyne Company

 

St Patrick’s week 2010 was a very special week as Riverdance returned to Broadway in New York City to play 8 shows at Radio City Music Hall. We have been looking forward to this week for some time now and it was great to arrive in downtown Manhattan on Monday after a short travel day from Wallingford. Our hotel was located about two blocks from Times Square and even just leaving the hotel you could feel the energy of being in the center of the world! There was so much to see during the week, we didn’t know where to start, but first thing was first, rehearsals. Since Radio City Music Hall is over double the size as our regular Boyne stage, extra dancers were brought in and the staging for each number was different. So, after a night off on Monday we went right into rehearsals, blocking, and a tech run on Tuesday from 11am-10pm. It was an extremely long day, but the fact that we were preparing for an opening night on Broadway made everything seem minuscule.

Words can not describe the feeling each of us had and the energy we felt opening night as we walked out on stage. There is such a vibe in Radio City that made everything so exciting. There is no feeling in the world then getting a standing ovation from over 6,000 people at one of the best theaters in the country; we were all so proud of the show and happy to be part of it. After opening night, there was a reception in the lobby of the theater for the cast and all of our guests who attended the opening performance. The entire creative team of Riverdance were out for the evening celebrations. It was a great way to open the week.

With so much to do in the city that never sleeps, there was a plethora of activities for the cast to partake in. Ellis Island with the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and top of the 30 Rock Building gave amazing views of the city, Central park was gorgeous to walk around and take a carriage ride, the bright lights of Times Square, and of course the many bars and nightlife aspect were just a few of the things the cast enjoyed throughout the week. One week is not enough time to see everything that you want. And of course, you have the buy the famous, “I (heart) N Y” t-shirt! That is a must.

Congratulations is in order to dancer Christina McGrath and sound engineer Steve Woods on their engagement while we were in New York. We were all enjoying food in an Irish Pub across the street from the hotel called Rosie O’Grady’s when the happy couple came in to make the announcement. We are all so happy for them and wish them nothing but the best in their future together!

We ended up selling out for the rest of the weekend and the crowds were amazing with standing ovations every show. Those New Yorkers can really show their appreciation. We were all sad to leave the city, but all made the best of our week there. There are some milestones in your life that you will never forget and I feel that performing at Radio City is one of them. Thank you to everyone for your hard work throughout the week!

Next, we head to Syracuse and Scranton, PA… until then…

Kevin