INTERVIEW: Riverdance celebrates 20 years with NJPAC performances

Riverdance, the Irish-dancing phenomenon, celebrates 20 years in 2016, and the world-famous troupe of dancers are ready to enjoy the milestone with audience members in North America. Dance enthusiasts can catch Riverdance’s tour in the coming weeks, with a stop at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, April 22-24.

Lead dancer Jason O’Neill has been with the company for six years after leaving a office job. He has risen through the ranks and now commands the stage in solo and company numbers. His journey with the troupe began with an audition in Dublin, an experience that changed his life.

“It’s a dream come true,” O’Neill said recently in a phone interview. “Riverdance, when it came along, it changed everything. … It really changed Ireland, the country, too, because it put it on the map as something that was relevant, and true and had something to say. So Riverdance for us is like a boyhood dream.”

O’Neill began dancing at 5 years old. He has six sisters, all of whom danced, but he was reluctant to follow in their footsteps. Male dancers, he said, were uncommon back when he started.

“I was dragged along to the class, and I kind of fell in love with the rhythm, and the music and the possibilities,” he said. “And then it became something that I was passionate about, and it was very athletic. And you really express yourself, so it’s something that I’ve been doing for over 20 years. So it’s definitely a passion that kind of expanded from a hobby.”

Even though it took many hours of rehearsal and years of mastering techniques to attain Riverdance status, O’Neill finds Irish dancing “completely fun.” He understands that the competitive side has overtaken the industry; however, for him, it was an avenue to let go of his energy, get away from school, get away from his problems and truly express himself. Even backstage before a show, he finds himself laughing, always stressing the fun of this unique profession.

Audience members in New Jersey can expect a rotation of three female leads and three male leads. If O’Neill is designated the lead for a performance, he’s able to flex his artistry with solo numbers that can last three or four minutes. “It’s very expressive,” he said. “You get to show your personality, and connect with the audience and interact with the audience, and you get to use your arms, which is kind of unusual for Irish dancing.”

He added: “I think if you put the hard work in, it tells on stage. If you haven’t put the hard work in and really trained your body, and looked after your body, when you get on stage … it doesn’t feel right. You can’t really connect with the choreography. … Behind the scenes is one of my favorite parts because you get to really hone your skills and perfect the technique, and it’ll come together. And when you’re on stage, it looks like it’s effortless.”

Audiences have responded in kind. O’Neill said that Americans often show their appreciation throughout the show, clapping and hollering while different numbers evolve on stage.

Despite the recognition and constant applause, there’s also a reality to Irish dancing that all dancers have to face. O’Neill understands he can’t dance forever. Like any sport, the athleticism needed to put on a quality show takes a toll on his body.

“There’s a lot of impact on our hips, on our knees, on our joints, on our muscles,” he said. “Injuries are just those things. Sometimes they just happen. It can happen as you walk across the road. We just look after ourselves as much as we can.”

For the dancers of Riverdance, and especially for O’Neill, the experience goes beyond dancing. The show is a celebration of culture and heritage; they are ambassadors of Ireland’s image, traditions and possibilities for the future. “It’s much more than just moving your feet for us,” O’Neill said. “It’s like telling a story and a story that people connect with.”

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Riverdance is currently on its 20th-anniversary tour. The show will play NJPAC April 22-24. Click here for more information.