Latest news with #Broadway-style
Extra.ie
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Reeling in the years -- The jig certainly isn't up as Riverdance celebrates three legendary decades
From a stunning interval act during Eurovision to a global phenomenon… Riverdance is celebrating a remarkable 30 years on the road tonight. As soon as the short–but–thrilling first-ever performance finished in the Point Depot in 1994, thousands in the audience jumped to their feet and erupted into ecstatic applause. The original producer, John McColgan, has recalled that he was in tears at the reception the seven-minute 'interlude' received and knew he had to give Riverdance its own Broadway-style show. Director of Riverdance John McColgan. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. Just a year later, Riverdance was on the road and has been ever since, entertaining millions around the globe and bringing them a taste and flavour of the rich Irish culture that spawned it. In its 30 years on the road, the show has seen many romances blossom among cast members, producing 70 marriages and 130 babies. Riverdance 30 – The New Generation has kicked off a three-month stint at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, running until September 7. Original Riverdance. Pic: File A sign of its longevity is the fact that the entire cast is now younger than the show itself. Daragh Roddy, the son of a former Riverdance lead, Pat Roddy, is dancing in the show's Dublin debut. The show made careers of its original leads: US-born dancers Michael Flatley, 66, and Jean Butler, 54, both went on to individual global stardom. Overseeing rehearsals for the new show was McColgan, now 80, who produced the original performance with his wife, Moya Doherty, 68. Current Lead Riverdance dancers Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick on stage with Director of Riverdance John McColgan and (L) Former dancer Susan Ginnety and (R) Breandán De Gallaí. Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. He recalled: 'The Point Theatre: when Riverdance finished, 4,000 people jumped to their feet in unison, but I was in tears, I knew something special had happened.' A year later, McColgan had turned the interval act into a two-hour stage show, which opened in Dublin on February 9, 1995. Talking about the transformation, he said: 'I was a big fan of the Broadway musical, and I wanted to take Irish dance and the very strait-laced way it had been performed. We change it and polish it all the time. Former Riverdance dancer Pat with his son Darragh (20). Pic: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos. 'The fundamental show is the same, but you get new energy every time there is a new cast. They're like young athletes now, and they take it very, very seriously.' Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, who dances in the show with her brother Fergus, grew up in Meath thinking she wanted to be in Riverdance. She said: 'We absolutely feel the responsibility and we take that challenge completely positively and we see it more as an honour rather than a heavy weight. Riverdance was here before either of us were born.' Fergus described leading Riverdance along with his sister as a 'dream come true', adding: 'It's even more special to be able to have family on the road with you when you're traveling, getting to do what you love, getting to see these amazing places while taking care of the iconic show.' While Sheena McMorrow is too young at 17 to join the full cast, she took part in last night's special performance at the Gaiety, following in the dance steps of her parents, Fran and Jonathan McMorrow, both former Riverdance members. 'My parents met in Riverdance, and that just made it so clear Irish dancing was going to be a big part of my life,' she said. Dad Jonathan said: 'It's fabulous for her to be able to do this. She's looked forward to this day for a very, very long time.' Tickets for the Gaiety shows are priced from €36.55 to €61.10.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shazahn Padamsee- Ashish Kanakia wedding: Bride-to-be to host a Broadway-inspired evening during pre-wedding festivities
Actor Shazahn Padamsee is all set to tie the knot with businessman Ashish Kanakia on June 5, and while their pre-wedding festivities are going to have traditional rituals like the haldi and sangeet, a source close to the couple reveals that they are planning a Broadway-inspired evening for one of their pre-wedding celebration. 'This celebration draws inspiration from Shazahn's father, the late Padma Shri Alyque Padamsee, and her family's legacy in Indian theatre. The event will be not just be a party, but a live musical celebration, paying a homage to theatre, and featuring retro performances in full Broadway-style,' the source shares, adding that the evening is being curated by Shazahn herself, in collaboration with her sister, producer Raell Padamsee, theatre director Quasar, and her mother. The source further informs that their extended theatre family, some close friends and veteran artists from the stage, will be performing at the night. After tying the knot on June 5, Shazahn and Ashish will also host a grand wedding reception in Mumbai for their industry friends and family. Shazahn and Ashish's love story began through a mutual friend who introduced them. While it took its sweet time, the couple began dating soon and got engaged in November 2024. Now they are set to get married on June 5. The actor is known for her roles in films like Rocket Singh: Salesman of The Year, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji and Housefull 2. She was recently seen in Neil Nitin Mukesh and Jacqueline Fernadez-starrer web series Hai Junoon. As for Ashish, he is the CEO of MovieMax Cinemas and Director at Kanakia Group.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Changes coming to downtown Texarkana in the name of pedestrian safety
TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) — One popular destination for summer fun is downtown Texarkana's Entertainment District, and the city is taking steps to ensure people can enjoy themselves while staying safe. Juneteenth Jam to celebrate Juneteenth with storytelling, dance The Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department says specific intersections will be blocked off Friday and Saturday evenings through the summer months in an effort to protect pedestrians. Barricades will be placed along Broad St at Hazel St, Walnut St, and Wood St. They are also stepping up efforts to enforce the specific ordinances in place at the district year-round. Muses Creative Artistry Project presents Broadway-style performance with classic Disney songs 'We will be seeing patrol officers downtown more often to make sure that everybody is abiding by the entertainment district rules and regulations, such as no drinking in or on the vehicles, no glass bottles, maintaining the noise ordinances, the curfew for the minors,' says Kristen Schultz with TAPD. Entertainment district hours run from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juneteenth Jam to celebrate Juneteenth with storytelling, dance
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)—The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC) is partnering with Rooted Movement Collective for a free cultural celebration to commemorate Juneteenth. Muses Creative Artistry Project presents Broadway-style performance with classic Disney songs The Juneteenth Family Jam is an interactive family dance experience that honors the power of movement to tell stories, share history, and bring people together. TRAHC Education Director Megan Griffin said, 'Movement is a proven stress reliever, which is something we can all benefit from as a society. Dancing and movement offer positive benefits like forming new neural connections in the brain and increasing levels of the feel-good hormone called serotonin.' The event will open with a discussion on the significance of Juneteenth by The Scholars, a local nonprofit founded in 2014. The Scholars goal is to support students in gaining skills and knowledge. Vice President and Cofounder of The Scholars, Rhonda Dolberry, said, 'The tagline for TheScholars is 'Spreading Knowledge,' which falls directly in line with sharing the historicalaspects of Juneteenth with the community, and shining a positive light on the AfricanAmerican culture as well. Knowing that knowledge is power, working together, andsharing makes us even stronger.' Juneteenth: The story behind the federal holiday Rooted Movement Collective seeks to combine members' love of dance with education, believing that integrating their art can ease efforts to teach cultural understanding. Rooted Movement Artistic Director Cece Marie explains, 'You don't have to speak the same language or even be the same age–movement breaks all of that down. For families, it's a chance to reconnect outside of the stress of everyday life.' The Juneteenth Family Jam is on June 19, 2025, at 6 p.m. at TRAHC's ArtSpace. The event is free, but TRAHC asks that participants RSVP to allow them to accommodate for space. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Muses Creative Artistry Project presents Broadway-style performance with classic Disney songs
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)—The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC) is bringing a Broadway-style, Disney-inspired show to town. The Muses Creative Artistry Project will remix classic Disney songs to showcase the talents of their own singers, dancers, and instrumentalists in a 'best of' performance. Disney, like you remember, but not exactly what you remember. TRAHC Executive Director Jennifer Unger said, 'We are thrilled to welcome The Muses back to Texarkana. The Muses always put on a spectacular show, and we love having them fill Cabe Hall with their beautiful voices.' The Muses, based out of the Muses Cultural Arts Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, tour the region. They present over 30 multi-art programs per year. Performances incorporate visual art, vocal and instrumental music, dance, poetry, and drama. Misty Copeland's new picture story, 'Bunheads, Act 2,' will be out in September General Director of The Muses Deleen Davidson considers their mission as, '…to preservethe Classical Arts through performance and education, making each performance enriching toyour Community, accessible and enjoyable for all ages.' Tickets are on sale for Broadway: Disney Cabaret by The Muses will take place on Thursday, June 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Regional Arts Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
