Riverdance Has Audiences Toe-Tapping in the Aisles

Critics rating: 4 out of 5 spotlights

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is currently presenting the Farewell Performances of Riverdance. Showing now, through May 11^th, audiences will be in for a great time as it leaves West Palm Beach and the stage forever.

Since opening in Dublin, Ireland in 1993, Riverdance has become an international extravaganza. Being presented on stage, and television, this show has become a sure hit with theatre lovers alike, including myself who saw this for second time.

Originally choreographed by the famous Michael Flatley, Riverdance is a journey into the earthly elements and lands that make us who we are. Through Irish and American tap, ballet; and along with instrumental solos, both the energetic dancers and musicians blew audiences away.

Leading a cast of over 30 dancers and a choir, Craig Ashurst and Christina Havlin create magic along with the other leads and musicians through a celebration of Irish music. Craig was majestic during his performances of “Reel Around the Sun”, “Thunderstorm” and many others, while Christina was mystical in “The Countess Cathleen”, “Riverdance”, and “Heartland” as she floated across the stage.

Besides dance, Riverdance features choral pieces and instrument arrangements. The Riverdance singers, led by Laura Yanez provide a melodic break from the dancing. In the four songs they sang, their melodic tunes were soft and moving, continuing the peaceful mood that this show produces. I would have to say that Yanez’s rendition of “Lift The Wings”, unfortunately, was not the best version that I have heard. This was the only flaw that I heard from her and from the choir as a whole.

Being a violinist myself, I had to keep myself from staring at the violinist and musicians like I did the first time I saw this show six years ago. The violinist in this performance was as energetic as the dancers and had a great time performing for the audience. Once again, there was a disappointment. In the first act, there is a beautiful lament entitled, “Caoineadh Chu Chulainn”. It is played by a single piper and mourns the Bronze Age warrior who is a hero of Celtic myth. The song was played magnificently except it felt a little fast and, knowing the soundtrack, noticed that the performer went off the original music.

Additional recognition belongs to Carmen Armengou who danced Flamenco and to Toby Harris and Parker Hall who danced, what I would call, American Tap. Even though I like the Russian Durvish the best out of all numbers, the “Trading Taps” number got the most response from the audience.

If you want to see a sure-fire hit, visit the Kravis Center before May 11^th and experience Riverdance before it leaves the stage forever. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

Kravis center has also announced its 2008-2009 season beginning with Avenue Q from November 25^th through the 30^th. The Drowsy Chaperone from January 6^th through the 11^th. The South Florida premiere of Legally Blonde, The Musical from March 17^th through the 22^nd. Topol in Fiddler on the Roof from April 14^th through the 19^th and The Wizard of Oz from May 12^th through the 17^th.

For more information on Broadway news and reviews, be sure to visit www.5minstocurtain.com

Actors’ Playhouse Presents a New-Comedy Thriller, Thumbs

Actors’ Playhouse will present Rupert Holmes’ new comedy-thriller, Thumbs from May 7^th to the 25^th. This new whodunit play is a smart new comedy that revolves around two women, from different areas of life who get caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a killer who goes by the name, “Tom Thumb.”

Theatre lovers know Rupert Holmes for his new current Broadway hit, Curtains. He has also written the thriller, Accomplice, which Actors’ Playhouse produced in 1992 and the Carbonell Award winning musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Having a full award-nominated or winning cast, Thumbs is guaranteed to have audiences talking and playhouse seats filling up for every performance.

Thumbs will have previews May 7^th and 8^th. The show will open on May 9^th and play through the 25^th. Performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2. There will also be an additional Wednesday matinee on May 14^th at 2.

For more information, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org or call the box office at 305-444-9293. Stay tuned to www.5minstocurtain.com for the review of Thumbs.