Riverdance
With a score composed by Bill Whelan, it originated as an interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, featuring Irish dancing champions Jean Butler, Michael Flatley and the vocal ensemble Anúna.Shortly afterwards, husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it into a stage show, which opened in Dublin on 9 February 1995.Whelan had also produced EastWind, a 1992 album by Planxty member Andy Irvine with Davy Spillane, which fused Irish and Balkan folk music and influenced the genesis of "Riverdance".[16][17] As of 2010, it was still the second highest-selling single of all time in Ireland, behind only Elton John's 1997 double A-side "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight".[18] After witnessing the initial enthusiasm for the interval act performance in Ireland, husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty invested over $1 million into producing a full-length show.[20] The show's growing success coincided with lead dancer Michael Flatley clashing with the producers over salary and royalty fees.[22] By early October 1995, a contract dispute over creative control led to Riverdance parting ways with Flatley on the eve of reopening for a second sell-out run at The Apollo.
MS RiverdanceIrish folk musicIrish dancePoint TheatreDublinBill WhelanMoya DohertyMichael FlatleyJean ButlerColin DunneBreandán de GallaíJoanne DoyleEurovision Song Contest 1994Radio City Music Halltheatricaltraditional Irish musicAnúnaEurovision Song Contest 1981Dónal LunnyPlanxtyEastWindAndy IrvineDavy SpillaneRiverdancestanding ovationDominion TheatreLondonRoyal Variety PerformancePrince CharlesIrish Singles ChartElton JohnCandle in the Wind 1997Something About the Way You Look TonightThe ApolloVE DayRoyal College of MusicQueen Elizabeth IINew York CityGrammy AwardBroadwayGershwin TheatreSpecial OlympicsGaiety Theatre, DublinKevin McCormackMaría PagésMichael and Matthew Gardinertraditional sessionsMáire BreatnachfiddleRonan Browneuilleann pipesAnthony DrennanEileen IversDeclan MastersonKatie McMahonMáirtín O'ConnoraccordionMichael McGlynnRafael RiqueniThe Countess CathleenCú ChulainnMusic of IrelandOfficial Charts CompanyIrish Recorded Music AssociationThe West AustralianJarlath ReganAn Irishman AbroadSoundCloudYouTubeJohnny LoganEurovision Song ContestMícheál Ó SúilleabháinLord of the DanceFeet of FlamesCeltic TigerBernadette FlynnGillian NorrisDaire NolanMichael LondraRonan HardimanGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater AlbumThe Music ManRedheadThe Sound of MusicHow to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingNo StringsShe Loves MeFunny GirlOn a Clear Day You Can See ForeverCabaretPromises, PromisesCompanyGodspellDon't Bother Me, I Can't CopeA Little Night MusicRaisinThe WizBubbling Brown SugarAin't Misbehavin'Evita: Premier American RecordingSunday in the Park with GeorgeWest Side StoryFollies in ConcertLes MisérablesInto the WoodsJerome Robbins' BroadwayLes Misérables: The Complete Symphonic RecordingThe Will Rogers FolliesGuys and DollsThe Who's TommyPassionSmokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and StollerChicago: The MusicalThe Lion KingAnnie Get Your GunElton John and Tim Rice's AidaThe ProducersHairsprayGypsy: A Musical FableWickedMonty Python's SpamalotSpring AwakeningIn the HeightsGreen DayOnce: A New MusicalKinky Boots