I've been an Irish dancer, on and off, for several years, but what got me started in the first place, as it did all over the world to budding Irish dancers, was THIS show. The overall efforts of the Dancing troupe, Maria Pages (the fiery flamenco dancer), Bill Whelan (composer)and Michael Flatley and Jean Butler are amazing. The music is at times very fast paced, and you can barely catch all that's happening in stage, let alone wonder how they do it, and other times it's incredibly sad and haunting (Davy Spillane, Irish bagpipe player, who coaxes breathtaking laments out of a very complex instrument to play). And the dancing is a whirlwind of shoe tapping, perfect synchronous and well-timed. Not to mention...SO COOL!The Moscow Ballet Troupe is so acrobatic, and fun- and the singing really is heavenly (thanks to the choral sensation 'Anuna'). The American Tap Group was a blend of the comical and the captivating, all wonderfully talented, and the two lead dancers, Michael and Jean, are the greatest presences on stage EVER. Despite the many productions that followed, no-one could manage the 'show' character to be able to fill up a stage like those pair! (Or an audience.) And Maria Page defines the word 'graceful' with her Firedance- my favourite couple dance in the world, is the one between her and Michael. Riverdance is an amazing and brilliant first step onto the wider world stage, for both Irish dancing and its rich tapestry of history and folklore. Anyone who hasn't seen this is missing out!

This show is incredible. I must admit, I have never seen a Broadway show in person. But this Dublin version of Riverdance (the original version, I believe) meets my impression of "The best of the best." For me, this version is the basis for any followup, and includes a synergy between Michael Flatley and Jean Butler that does not exist between Colin Dunne and Jean Butler. This is not meant to take away from Colin's obvious talents, but only to make sure the magic between Michael and Jean is not overlooked. Using what I think is the current vernacular, I was "blown away" by this show. All of the dance routines are great. I particularly like the routine where the three female dancers use skirt linings of red, blue, and green. The performance is spectacular and the stunts are entertaining and something I look forward to. I am going to buy a second video of this performance in case I wear out the first tape. I do wish it were on DVD.

I bought both videos and the CD after seeing the live performance at Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, VA. It still takes my breath away when I watch the video. I am 41 years old, and only two things have ever taken my breath away like that. One was flying over the Big Island of Hawai'i in a helicopter, and the other was seeing Riverdance. If you can possibly see the live performance, do so. Otherwise, see the video.

Just because she got to work with Michael Flatley....anyway, I want to say that I've seen this video so many times it's not even funny. I love it! the dancing's great, but what I really love is the music..I mean how can you NOT love the music? :)