Riverdance - Live From New York City |  | Artists: Jean Butler, Colin Dunne, María Pagés, Katie McMahon, Morgan Crowley
Label: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.94
Buy Used: $13.97
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Rating:  168 reviews
Sales Rank: 48760
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0767804341
UPC: 043396799493
EAN: 9780767804349
ASIN: 0767804341
Theatrical Release Date: 1997
Release Date: October 21, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Riverdance, the Irish hard-shoe sensation that took PBS viewers by storm, underwent its second incarnation with Live from New York City, a 1996 performance filmed at Radio City Music Hall. While most of the attributes from 1995's Riverdance: The Show remain--the dazzling ensemble choreography, Bill Whelan's energetic score, and the New Age-y view of Celtic mythology--the most significant difference is at the top, where Colin Dunne replaced bombastic lead dancer Michael Flatley. Though lacking Flatley's bravura, Dunne is a superb technician who works well with Flatley's former co-lead, Jean Butler. Flamenco dancer Maria Pagis returns, as do the Riverdance Singers (formerly known as Anuna) with soloist Katie McMahon and the orchestra with fiery fiddler Eileen Ivers. About a half-hour longer than the 1995 original, Live from New York City expands upon the second act's theme of the Irish leaving their homeland for other parts of the world. "Lift the Wings" becomes a set piece for the people who are saying goodbye (it's hard not to miss the original's solo voice of Aine Um Cheallaigh), and a new song, "Heal Their Hearts," is a showcase anthem for bass Morgan Crowley. In the most engaging new number, "Trading Taps," a trio of Irish dancers faces off against two urban American tappers. While much of this follow-up show will be familiar to those who know the original, it's different enough to be enjoyed on its own terms. It's also more stylishly shot, but that's also its biggest drawback--frenetic editing that allows only brief glimpses of the dancers and leaves the viewer dizzy. --David Horiuchi
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 168
 Sometimes the original is truly the best April 21, 1999
akbrown@impulseaero.com (Seattle, WA)
91 out of 99 found this review helpful
A far cry from the static monstrosity the show has become on Broadway, the original Riverdance with Michael Flatley and Jean Butler is unbeatable. Colin Dunn may be a skilled performer, but no amount of championship titles can make up for the fact he lacks Flatley's presence and command of the audience. This production of Riverdance is the only one you need - forget Riverdance: The journey and the Radio City Music hall nightmare. This is Riverdance the way it was meant to be, before the producers drove Flatley away and stole his creation. The can claim credit all they wish, but Michael Flatley proved where the true passion for the dance went when he bravely formed his own production of Lord of the Dance and later, Feet of Flames. The current Broadway Riverdance show is fine for making the producers money and appeasing the tourists, but they cannot deny the passion and fire of the original is gone. The only thing worth watching the Broadway cast for is the added solos of Maria Pages and the newer modern tap routines. But there is no beating the original production, with it's passion and fire that truly embody the spirit of the Celts. Between Bill Whelan's gorgeous score and Flatley and Butler's unequaled talents leading a fabulously talented cast, this is truly an example of a great idea that should never have been tampered with.
Buy this version! June 27, 2000
P. Lozar (Santa Fe, NM USA)
34 out of 34 found this review helpful
I've seen both versions of "Riverdance," with and without Michael Flatley, and I think this one is far and away the better. His successor is a terrific dancer, in a rather self-contained style, but he lacks Flatley's gusto and his rapport with the other dancers and the audience (compare the duos with Jean Butler in both versions and you'll see what I mean). Flatley always looks as if he's enjoying himself, and he throws himself into every performance with passion and enthusiasm -- even after many hundreds of shows, it's not "just a job" to him! Ms. Butler is superb: she can be light as thistledown, or stomp out an intricate rhythm in tap shoes with the best of them.
As for the rest of the film, I could have done with fewer choral selections, although both Anuna and the Gospel group perform well. I would have liked to see more of the band: as an Irish music aficionado, I was stunned to read the credits and see the caliber of musicians who'd been performing, but the tape didn't give more than the odd 10 seconds to anyone besides Davy Spillane. And I can't imagine why the filmmakers didn't include the tap dance segment, which was, to me, the best part of the New York tape.
But this version has it all over the other in one very important respect: whoever filmed it understood something about Irish dancing. They focused on the footwork, which, to a fan of this dance style, is THE most interesting part. The show was a gigantic hit in Ireland -- and in the heavily Irish communities in the U.S. -- in large part because it took a traditional (sometimes hackneyed) ethnic dance form and turned it on its ear. If it's filmed as just another razzle-dazzle dance show, with no attention to its roots, much of the enjoyment goes out of it -- and I think that happened in the New York version.
Riverdance, moving Celtic music of the past and our time. March 24, 2001
Callie (Portland, OR United States)
30 out of 32 found this review helpful
The editor's criticism of Riverdance is meaningless. Riverdance is truly a phenomenom. I was so impressed by how moving the dances and music are. The dancers never waste any time. They just move from one beautiful move to another. They have a very good dance cast and on the stage they bring life and motion. You can't resist the tapping sounds. The music brings just as much liveliness. The music cast includes piper Davy Spillane, accordianist Mairtin O'Conner, and fiddler Maire Breatnach(before Eileen Ivers joined the show). The music is at times slow and moody, but then it goes on to be energetic and jig like. One of the best parts of the music is the songs. The choral group Anuna, made up of five men and five women, sings so beautifully in "The Heart's Cry", "The Heartland", and the song "Riverdance". The American gospel influence of "Freedom", performed by the James Bignon group portrays the dreams of freedom shared by America and Ireland. The finally at the end with Anuna and the African-American group together is so cute! One cannot ignore the beauty of the song, "Lift the Wings", which I believe helped inspire the Titanic theme(you can't resist that lovely low whistle). All of the music is a great picture of Celtic music, bringing the spirit of the past to our time. At the same time, it has influence from cultural music of Spain, Russia, and African-American gospel. It is folly for one to resist this masterpiece. It is a classic that will last a long time. Even teenagers like myself adore the soundtrack, but one should also get a hold of the video to see the dances. The songs and dances often relate to Celtic legends and mythology, such as "The Countess Kathleen" and "Lament For Cu Chuchaillin". You can not say no to Davy Spillane's powerful uillean pipes! Therefore, be sure to get the original show of RIverdance, which I am pleased to see that as many Americans and Europeans alike have delighted in.
Sometimes there can be no denying greatness August 15, 1999
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
Many people have critizised Michael Flatley for having an egolarger than the 32 counties of Ireland (26 counties for youpessimists), but sometimes in life there are those that are so good at what they do-- they have earned a bit of cockiness. Michael Flately is an amazing Irish dancer-- in all likelihood, the best in the world-- so shouldn't we all cut him a bit of slack? The show is fantastic and Flatley makes it. Also appearing is Jean Butler (who appears a LITTLE stiff with nervousness in her first number, but then loosens up and does a beautiful job), and she is magnificent. I would recommend to anyone that hasn't seen Riverdance to see the first one (With Michael Flatley), but also the second at Radio City Music hall (With Colin Dunn). Both are VERY different, and equally amazing. I don't have enough good to say about it. See the show!!
Liked the original Riverdance? Wait till you see this! November 24, 1998
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
The original Riverdance video was terrific, but I think this is even better. The fantastic dancing and lightning-precision choreography of the original is kept here, and the delightful international cast and multiculturalism of the original is expanded upon in this production with a pair of African-American tap-dancers who do a wickedly funny "duel" with Colin Dunne. Jean Buter shines, of course, just as she did in the original. Colin Dunne, while not quite as good technically as Michael Flatley, is nevertheless highly skilled, and even more of a delight to watch since Dunne's focus seems to be more on making the production as a whole look good rather than on calling attention to his own "amazing feet feats." Dunne's self-deprecating humor in the above-mentioned "duel," as a tap dancer parodies Irish dance, is alone worth the price of the video. This video is a great companion piece to the original and not a repeat!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 168
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