Spotlight event: Riverdance

By By Hali Baker

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Summer has arrived, and Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., is ready to begin its 2006 season with Riverdance. The show, which originally began as an intermission act for the Eurovision Song contest in 1994, has had tremendous success. Now in its 11th season, the show has performed in more than 30 countries on four different continents. More than 18 million people worldwide have seen the show, and it has sold more than nine million video versions. There are currently three separate tours; one in Ireland and two in the United States. In 1997, Bill Wheelan, Riverdance’s composer, won a Grammy award for his original music and lyrics. Jenna Woods, the show’s assistant wardrobe director graduated from the University of Kansas.

When on the road, Riverdance boasts a fleet of 11 40-foot trucks just to carry equipment from location to location. Each show features 70 performers who do a variety of dances, which include traditional Irish dance as well as tap dance and flamenco dance, which is a type of Spanish dance. There are also singers highlighted during the show.

Despite its vast expanse of performances, Riverdance has never been at Starlight before. Esther Grenz, senior account executive at Morningstar Communications Company, explained that the theatre surveyed its audience at the end of last season, and people showed high interest in seeing Riverdance perform.

Starlight Theatre seats 8,000 people and offers concessions along with bathroom facilities for all guests. New to the theatre this season is the indoor/outdoor air-conditioned restaurant. Grenz said if people want to eat there, they should plan on making reservations before they arrive at the theatre.

Riverdance will be performing from June 27 until July 2, and there are still tickets available for the show. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Prices range from $9.00 to $75.00; however, if students arrive at 8:00 p.m., they can purchase tickets for half price with a valid ID.

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