The fascinating dance sensation celebrates 30 years, led by a new generation of dancers
SCHENECTADY — For 30 years, “Riverdance” has brought its fusion of Irish and international dance and music to the world stage. Now on its 30th anniversary tour with a New Generation cast of performers shaping the future of dance, “Riverdance” arrives at the MainStage at Proctors for shows at 7:30 p.m. each night from Tuesday, April 15, to Thursday, April 17.
“‘Riverdance,’ it’s just timeless,” said lead dancer Will Bryant. “It’s more than an Irish dance show. It tells a story of cultural diversity. We’re introduced to styles of dance from all around the world. We have a flamenco dancer, four dervish dancers, and two American tappers, alongside the cast variation dances we have.”
“The rhythmic differences are just electric to hear with the different styles combined, and I feel like it resonates with a lot of people,” he continued. “‘Riverdance’ has something for everyone.”
Born in Sydney, Australia, Bryant began dancing through his older sister, who was also a dancer. He trained with the Halloran Dance School in contemporary and Irish dance, ballet and hip-hop, and said he “did everything” he could related to dance. However, one style stood out.
“Irish dancing was just something that I was really passionate about,” he said.
He competed throughout the country and around the world, including at the world championships in Europe.
“It was something that took me everywhere and something that I wanted to do professionally,” he said. “‘Riverdance’ is kind of the biggest and the best when it comes to Irish dance shows, and I believe it still is. It’s something that I really wanted to do.”
“It changed my life as a kid,” he said, recalling how he would watch the 1995 VHS tape of “Riverdance: The Show.” “I remember telling my mom when I was seven that ‘Riverdance’ is something that I’m going to be in. It’s what I’m going to do; it’s going to happen.”
Bryant auditioned for “Riverdance” after graduating high school in 2013 and has been performing with the company for 12 years.
More than a decade later, Bryant has never lost his deep connection to the show. He credits the music by Bill Whelan and the choreography for their unfailing ability to resonate with both himself and audience members.
“Every time I hear it — and I do the show eight times a week — it just sends chills down the back of my neck,” he said of Whelan’s score. “It’s just unreal. I remember when I saw it, I heard that music live for the first time with the live band, and it just does things to me. The combination of that music and the choreography and how it worked so seamlessly — there’s just something really special about it.”
The timelessness of the choreography especially resonates with him as the lead dancer.
“It’s just so fun, hearing that music and being able to perform the steps that were choreographed back
he could related to dance. However, one style stood out.
“Irish dancing was just something that I was really passionate about,” he said.
He competed throughout the country and around the world, including at the world championships in Europe.
“It was something that took me everywhere and something that I wanted to do professionally,” he said. “‘Riverdance’ is kind of the biggest and the best when it comes to Irish dance shows, and I believe it still is. It’s something that I really wanted to do.”
“It changed my life as a kid,” he said, recalling how he would watch the 1995 VHS tape of “Riverdance: The Show.” “I remember telling my mom when I was seven that ‘Riverdance’ is something that I’m going to be in. It’s what I’m going to do; it’s going to happen.”
Bryant auditioned for “Riverdance” after graduating high school in 2013 and has been performing with the company for 12 years.
More than a decade later, Bryant has never lost his deep connection to the show. He credits the music by Bill Whelan and the choreography for their unfailing ability to resonate with both himself and audience members.
“Every time I hear it — and I do the show eight times a week — it just sends chills down the back of my neck,” he said of Whelan’s score. “It’s just unreal. I remember when I saw it, I heard that music live for the first time with the live band, and it just does things to me. The combination of that music and the choreography and how it worked so seamlessly — there’s just something really special about it.”
The timelessness of the choreography especially resonates with him as the lead dancer.
“It’s just so fun, hearing that music and being able to perform the steps that were choreographed back in 1994,” he said. “The audience is always on their feet dancing; you see that in the audience, and you connect with the audience.”
The opening number and the final piece of the first act — both titled “Riverdance” — are among his most treasured moments on stage.
“I always feel a sense of excitement, nervousness, goosebumps, and a mixture of emotions,” he said.
While on stage, Bryant performs not only with his touring family but also with his brother. Kieran Bryant followed in his brother’s footsteps after attending the “Riverdance” Summer School in Boston. After graduating high school, he joined the company and is now a lead dancer alongside Will.
“It’s really special to have him here with me,” Bryant said. “Being able to share that with him and having him close by all the time — we’re very close — is just amazing.”
Touring with his brother helps him feel “like home isn’t too far away.” His family’s support and excitement in traveling to meet him at various tour locations also inspires him to keep going.
“My parents, I think they’ve seen the show more times than I’ve seen the show,” he quipped.
As a teacher for almost three years at the “Riverdance” Summer School, Bryant encourages interested audience members to reach out to the school and experience firsthand the cultural story Irish dance tells.
“It’s people from all ages; it doesn’t matter where you’re from,” he said. “It’s just a fun experience.”
He’s inspired by the energy and innovation of the next generation of dancers. As both a lead performer and teacher, he sees new audiences and dancers discovering Irish dance, and he’s excited about “Riverdance’s” future.
“As a company, we have a reputation of being the elite of the elite when it comes to Irish dancing, and as a brand, we’re very proud of that and strive to maintain that to be as successful as we can be,” he said.
“It’s such an honor to be part of this legacy,” he added.
