'Riverdance' coming through Dothan on farewell tour

When “Riverdance” was first performed in 1994 at the Eurovision Song Contest, it was only seven minutes long.

But the Irish step dance became so popular so quickly that by the end of the year the full-length version of the performance at Dublin’s Point Theatre sold out every show for five weeks. Then, London and performances before Britain’s royal family catapulted the show even further.

It opened at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in March 1996, selling out its eight shows.

“It’s fairly accessible entertainment,” said Julian Erskine, the show’s senior executive producer. “There’s nothing intimidating about ‘Riverdance’ … It works on a couple of levels. You can delve into it and find out the structure of the show and what it represents of Ireland and its history. Or, just sit there and enjoy it.”

In the last 16 years, multiple dance companies – with names like Bann, Corrib, Foyle, Avoca, Boyne, Shannon, Lagan, Lee and Liffey – have taken “Riverdance” to countries around the world. The show has bid farewell numerous times to different countries. And, it will bid farewell to North America later this year to focus on countries producers never thought it would tour, like China, Korea and the Middle East.

“As we close one door, we’re opening about three others,” said Erskine, who has been with “Riverdance” since 1994. “Obviously, we’re sad to be finally saying goodbye. But, we can’t be sad. How many other shows have been so lucky? The joy brought to us and we’ve brought to so many people, it’s been magical, really.”

The show will be performed at the Dothan Civic Center on Feb. 15. Tickets have gone quickly. Earlier this week, the promoter opened up additional seats, which were expected to sell out. Other performances in the region include a Feb. 14 show in Pensacola, Fla., a Feb. 18 show in Columbus, Ga., and a Feb. 19 show in Tallahassee, Fla.

“When it finally comes to an end, we can’t be anything but grateful,” Erskine said.

“Riverdance” is actually split into two parts. The first half focuses on the pre-Christian worship of nature in Ireland – the sun, the moon, the stars, fire and water. The dance scenes don’t necessarily tell a story, they simply celebrate early Celtic beliefs. And then there’s the actual Riverdance where dancers celebrate the life of a river from its beginning and growing wider as the river reaches the sea. The river cycle continues as a rain cloud moves over land.

“It’s the Celtic cycle of life,” Erskine explained. “We’re born, we live, we die and we’re reborn.”

The second half of the show depicts the emigration of Ireland’s people.

First as a colony under England’s strict rule and then with the great famine of the mid 1800s, Ireland has not always been an easy place to live, Erskine said.

“The choice was to go or to die,” he said. “Half of the population either left or died.”

They left for places like Australia or America, creating connections between Ireland and other countries. By 1995, people didn’t have to leave Ireland to earn a decent living, and people whose families had emigrated were returning. Sadly, Erskine said, today’s economy is forcing people to once again leave.

“In the life of ‘Riverdance,’ we’ve seen that go full circle,” he said.