Magic Arts & Entertainment

Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance tour -- the international Irish dancing phenomenon that has performed sold out shows at theatres, arenas and stadiums in more than 45 countries -- is returning to theaters across the United States for its 11th consecutive year. The tour is scheduled to kick off on November 29 for one show in Kelowna, British Columbia.

More than 55 million people worldwide have seen Lord of the Dance, coming off an extremely successful and highly acclaimed four-year residency in Las Vegas – with an estimated 5 million people attending the show.

Audiences across the United States will have a chance to experience the extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a new wave of Celtic dance mania. Global ticket sales for Lord of the Dance now exceed $550,000,000.

Michael Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, serves as the artistic director and continues to oversee all aspects of the production. The first American to win the All-World Championship in Irish Dance, Flatley opened the show in Dublin in 1996. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Flatley for having "the world's fastest feet" at 35 taps per second.

"Lord of the Dance is so close to my heart. I am gratified by the wild applause and excitement of the audience night after night, country after country," says Michael Flatley, creator of Lord of the Dance. Flatley adds, “The show is continuously updated, so that it’s constantly fresh and exciting for the audience and the dancers, without changing the foundation that has made Lord of the Dance the success that it is today.”

Described by the New York Post as "fascinating, rewarding and above all, entertaining," and by the Los Angeles Times as "a showpiece extravaganza," Lord of the Dance is a
mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance. The story is a classic tale of good vs. evil based on old Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord, challenges the Lord of the Dance. It is also a passionate love story that is expressed through dance numbers that transport audiences into a mystical and exhilarating world of intense passion. The action is played out over 21 scenes, on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.

Flatley explains, "Lord of the Dance is not ballet. It's not tap. It's not Flamenco. It's something that I created from scratch because nothing else was just right."

The Lord of the Dance troupe features Irish dance champions from around the world. These gifted performers, who have an average age of 22 years, stretch every boundary of a traditional form of dance that has evolved for more than 2,000 years.

"Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance is one of the top grossing theatrical tours in history," said Lee Marshall, president of Magic Arts & Entertainment, the tour promoter and a veteran of many blockbuster entertainment events. "Thousands of eager fans continue to line up at every performance thanks to these young, talented and energetic dancers.”

FAST FACTS & STATS

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance (LOD) is the theatrical extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight. The show features more than 40 dancers who deliver an eloquent and stunning interpretation of one of Ireland’s most famous legends.
LOD has been the highest grossing dance show in the world since it began in 1996.
In 1997, LOD was the highest grossing tour of any kind in the world.
LOD has currently taken in excess of $500 million in global ticket sales.
LOD has now performed sell out shows in 45 countries worldwide and on every continent.
LOD holds the record for London’s famous Wembley Arena with an unbeaten run of 21 consecutive sell-out shows.
LOD’s Troupe Three has just completed a highly acclaimed and hugely successful four year residency in Las Vegas, with an estimated two million people attending the show.
In South Africa, Lord of the Dance broke all box office records when tickets sold out in record time.
LOD was conceptualized and staged within eight weeks of conception.
The LOD soundtrack has achieved gold and silver status in Australia, Canada and in the UK.
More than 328,000 feet of cable are used for every show.
3,000 amps of power are required for each show.
20 tons of steel are hung from the ceiling at each show.
LOD presentations are permanently reviewed by a team of 20 creative professionals including set designers, costumes designers, lighting experts, sound engineers and choreographers to ensure its high standards are maintained.
A total of 1200 costumes are used between all of the LOD troupes.
The average age of LOD dancers is 22 years old.
The show made its debut performance in 1996 and quickly became the most popular touring dance production in history.
More than 50 million people worldwide have seen LOD in person at sold out theaters, arenas and stadiums.
LOD was conceived and choreographed by Michael Flatley – the American born world Irish dance champion who is responsible for creating a new wave of Celtic dance mania.
Flatley is listed by the Guinness Book of World Records for having “the world’s fastest feet” – 35 taps per second.
Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, serves as artistic director and continues to oversee all aspects of the show and the numerous LOD troupes currently touring internationally.
Fans around the world have purchased more than 1.2 million LOD music CDs and nine million videos. The LOD video has become a best selling Christmas season title.
An estimated 2,400 Web sites are devoted to everything LOD.
LOD captivates audiences with an eclectic blend of dance styles rooted in the traditional form of Celtic dance that has evolved for more than 2,000 years.
The story is a classic tale of good vs. evil based on old Irish folklore. It is also a passionate love story expressed through dance.
The show comprises 21 scenes filled with heart-stopping dance, colorful costumes, dramatic music, elaborate sets and state of the art pyrotechnics.
LOD troupe members include Irish dance champions from around the world. They complete an estimated 151,200 taps per performance.
Among his many honors, Flatley was recognized by the American National Endowment of Arts as one of his nation’s greatest performers, and named one of “The Greatest Irish Americans of the
Century” by Irish America Magazine.