Thirty-one years ago, “Riverdance” was born as a performance in the iconic “Eurovision” competition. Since then, it has transformed into an iconic display of Irish culture as a full theatrical performance that has set off on a tour to celebrate its 30th anniversary in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Samantha Felling, a member of the Irish dance troupe and graduate of Saint Louis University, discussed the excitement to bring the show to her hometown, a performance she feels is as important and valuable now as it was three decades ago.
Samantha Felling spoke with The University News’ Owen Herdrick on April 16. The following conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
Owen Herdrick: If you could give me an elevator pitch on what ‘Riverdance’ is, what would that be?
Samantha Felling: It started at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, and that was the first time Irish dance kind of got a big stage to showcase on… it was seen as an actual performance piece, versus just kind of a traditional thing that people did at the pubs and back in Ireland. Riverdance itself is really just a celebration of Irish culture and music. [But] as much as there’s a lot of Irish dance and music, there’s also a flamenco dancer, there’s American tap dancers [and] there’s Eastern European folk dancers. We have a whole live band – it’s just a really high-energy show.
OH: What does it mean to you to be reviving an old classic?
SF: The show itself is so iconic. So it’s been around for 30 years, and it maintains that same iconic music and choreography. We’ve just really upped the lighting up to the production, the graphics, the costumes and the whole cast now as well. It’s a whole new generation of Irish dancers in the cast. None of us were actually born when Riverdance first came into the scene. We haven’t known life without Riverdance, and we grew up watching Riverdance.
OH: In what ways do you feel the story of ‘Riverdance’ is important today?
SF: The whole show is about people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together and sharing their culture and their history. It’s primarily an Irish dance and music show, but there’s a lot of back-and-forth pieces between the Irish dancers and the tap dancers and the flamenco dancers and the Eastern European folk dancers. It’s a timeless show, and it’s a timeless story, because it’ll always be relevant to share your culture and your passion. There’s scenes in the show about Irish people immigrating to the United States – that’s a very relevant theme these days. It’s about kind of letting things go, moving on [and] losing people as they immigrate to the U.S., but still holding on to their family ties [and] cultural ties as they emigrate to a new place. So, I think those kinds of themes throughout the story are always timeless.
OH: What is your favorite moment in the show?
SF: I think I have two favorite moments. The first is walking on stage for the very first time in the show. The music is really ethereal. It’s really dark and moody and mysterious, and it sets the whole tone for the show. I still literally get goosebumps every single time I walk on to that opening number. It’s an exciting part because it’s kind of like the dancers coming out ready to say: you’re about to see something spectacular. I think also [the] finale: the lights go up a bit and we can see the audience. Usually, audiences are already up on their feet by the end of the show and dancing along and clapping. Two very different points in the show and different emotions, but both highlights for me.
OH: How does it feel to bring this play to your hometown, a city with such deep Irish roots?
SF: I was raised in St. Louis and then obviously went to SLU as well, so I have such close ties to St. Louis. All my family and friends are pretty much still in St Louis, so to be able to go back and dance for them is really cool, because they’ve been the ones to support me on this whole journey. And whenever you have family and friends in the audience, it’s just extra special because you’re dancing for them and they’ve seen you through this whole process to get here.
OH: While you were enrolled at SLU, was the Fox a favorite spot of yours?
SF: Not being biased, I think it is one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. The first time I saw Riverdance was actually at the Fox. I was five or six years old, and I remember exactly where we were sitting. It was one of those core memories for me.
OH: Why should a SLU student, who has never been to the Fox, come see ‘Riverdance’?
SF: No matter what show you’re seeing, being in the Fox is an outing in itself. St. Louis is very big on its community and bringing its people together, and the Fox is one of those venues that brings people in the community together. [And] I think it’s really important to support the live arts right now. ‘Riverdance’ is a show for everyone. It’s very high energy and upbeat, and you’ll definitely be left on the edge of your seat.