Riverdance: The Original International Phenomenon to Play Eight Farewell Performances at the Academy of Music, March 31-April 5
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Photo: Clark James Mishler
Tickets on Sale Now!
Riverdance, the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has tapped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe, will play eight Farewell Performances at the Academy of Music beginning March 31 – April 5, 2009. The press opening will be Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 7:30pm.
Part of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series, tickets are now on sale ranging in price from $25 to $72.50 with a limited number of VIP premium seats available for $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, visiting online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Streets (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Streets (open during performances only). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.
Performances include: Tuesday – Thursday evening at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evening at 8pm; Sunday evening at 6:30pm; matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm.
"Since 1996, the success of Riverdance in North America has gone beyond our wildest dreams," said producer Moya Doherty. "The fact that the show continues to draw and excite audiences 13 years after its debut in Dublin is a tribute to every dancer, singer, musician, staff and crew member who have dedicated themselves to the show."
Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, to date, Riverdance has played over 10,000 performances, been seen live by more than 21 million people in over 300 venues throughout 32 countries across four continents. They have traveled well over 563,000 miles (or to the moon and back!), played to a worldwide television audience of nearly two billion; sold over three million copies of the Grammy® Award-winning CD (certified Platinum in the US) and over 10 million videos, making it one of the best-selling entertainment videos in the world! Riverdance had its world premiere at the Point Theatre, Dublin, in February 1995, where it opened to unanimous critical acclaim.
What began as a seven-minute dance segment on the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest (televised to over 300 million people in Europe) and then quickly turned into a full-scale production has become much more than an international theatrical success. "I believe Riverdance has been basically a pathfinder," said Niall O’Dowd, founder of Irish America Magazine and the Irish Voice newspaper. Along with the peace process in Northern Ireland and the economic miracle in Ireland proper, the show "has been a hugely important part of a transformation of the image of Ireland in the last 20 years."
In a flash, Riverdance became Ireland’s greatest ambassador and the thirst began. Riverdance changed the face of Irish dance and despite its imitators, has remained on top and was voted the #1 Variety/Family Entertainment Show in the US (1998).
There have been many milestones along the way including the distinction of being the largest Western musical to play China; a record-breaking line of 100 Irish dancers mesmerizing 85,000 people at the 2004 Special Olympics in Dublin; a 10th Anniversary celebration at Radio City Music Hall; dancing in Red Square and on the Great Wall of China and much more.
Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland in the past decade, nothing can compare to the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. An innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song, Riverdance draws on Irish traditions and the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music to the present day capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures. This extraordinarily unique show features an international company all performing to the magic of Bill Whelan’s music. www.riverdance.com
During the 2009 Broadway Series productions will include: Happy Days – A New Musical (March 24 – 29); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (April 7 – 12); Movin’ Out (May 15 – 17); and Spring Awakening (June 23 – 28). All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by CITI. Promotional support is provided by WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series.
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