Rating: 
Summary: COLIN BETTER THAN FLATLEY
Review: First, and foremost Riverdance is a wonderful show. It started out as a seven minute presentation, and evolved from there. Jean butler, and colin Dunne, are better dancers together, than her and flatley ever was. Colin preforms, he does does not Dominate, like flatley did. I watch this tape daily, and fully enjoy it every time, I love Colin Dunne better as well because he is a better dancer than flatley ever was. his feet never touch the floor he seems like he's walking on air. I have to congratulate Mrs. Butler, and Mr.Dunne, and the Dance troupe (They are so wonderfull), and the wardrobe designers because that's a hell of a lot of wear and tear, and everybody else who worked on the show for making this a great experience for me and all the others who were mesmerized by those feet. - Matt Richard
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing for anyone who's seen the show
Review: I've seen the live show 3 times now, and this DVD is a disappointment. The video is fuzzy, the audio lacks the bass "feel" (the audio CD has MUCH better sound). If you've never seen the live show, have little chance of ever seeing it, and don't buy VHS, then you might like this DVD. Otherwise, save your money. I gave it two stars SOLELY because it's Riverdance.
Rating: 
Summary: DVD production quality a disappointment
Review: There are great shows, great performances, and great recordings. This production certainly is based around a great show. The performance is also almost great, although the lack of Flatley in the cast is an obvious disappointment. However, the biggest disappointment is in the DVD production quality. The video portion, at best, appears to be a copy of a copy. The picture is less than sharp. And the constant camera switching is distracting, almost as distracting as the camera work showcased in Lord of the Dance. Distracting, too, is the less than stellar sound recording. Compared to the DVD technical achievements of, say, the Bee Gees' "One Night Only," this production leaves a lot to be desired.
Rating:
Summary: COLIN ROCKS
Review: Colin did so much better that MF. MF left b/c of money. And Colin is not American, he's Irish, raised in England bye the way.
Rating: 
Summary: Great show, but bad DVD presentation
Review: It's not really a 5.1 soundtrack; there's no subwoofer ".1" track in the mix. No excuse for having to flip the disc. And, when you do flip the DVD, you must go to the menu (on side 2) and select the 5.1 again. The DVD is poorly made and is not on par with excellence of Riverdance.
Rating:
Summary: For a cookie-cutter production, it serves well
Review: This production serves the Broadway theme well - they've taken a brilliant show, stolen from it's true spiritual creator Michael Flatley, and turned it into their cash-cow. We've also just seen Riverdance: The Journey, and were horribly disappointed when it became not just a story of the creation of the show, but more the Producer's rationalization of the way they stole an artist's creation and tried to put their spin that Flatley is a prima donna. Don't believe the hype - Michael Flatley had every right to demand creative control over his own work - it is his own! All he wanted was the chance to control his own dances, just his own solos, and they refused. They hired him for his spirit and innovation, then grew intolerant when he refused to remain static. You cannot encourage an artist to create their best work, and expect them to blithely bow out when you demand total creative control over their own work. That is what Riverdance:the Show has become - a static Broadway production without the spirit of the original. It serves the producer's craving for credit and money, and appeases the tourists, but the spirit is gone. And Colin Dunn, no matter how skilled a dancer, does not have anywhere NEAR the stage presence and passion of Flatley. If you're interested in true passionate Irish Dance, stick with Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. Michael Flatley proved where the true spirit of the dance is - and madame producer cannot steal credit for that when he's proven it so clearly. The Broadway production is entertaining, and the dancers all deserve credit for their skill. But it is that firey passion that makes a good production truly great, and you won't find it in this piece. The only true redeemable aspect of this production (and the only real reason we rate it with as much as 2 stars) is the added solos for Maria Pages, and the new dancers - they alone are well worth watching it for.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond fantastic
Review: I saw this show a few years ago at the Wang Theatre in Boston. I thought at first, how could anyone surpass Michael Flatley. Well, Colin did that and more. He may not have had the charisma, but he cetainly did not feel full of himself as Michael does. The music and the tap take you beyond yourself into another realm. I know I can watch this video over and over again and never, never get bored with it. It seems I can't get enough of it. It is a great way to excercise as well. I can't critique the camera work. I don't know enough about that. I can't however, find any fault from my perspective. I may not be Irish,but watching this video I am transformed into one.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific display of footwork
Review: Anyone who has not seen this video is really missing out on some of the most fabulous footwork there is to be had. I first saw this program on PBS in in Missoula. Having done some country western dance myself, I can appreciate the way these folks do their brand of dancing, and rather quickly at that even. I have to hand it to Michael Flatley and the rest of the dance ensemble for a terrific job with this performance. I am looking forward to buying my own copy of this Video, unless some friends of mine buy it for me before I get the chance to buy it myself. It is one dance performance that should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Exhilirating.
Review: The "Trading Taps" portion of the show was the highlight for me. The skill of all of the dancers is incomparable. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the vocals, instrumentals, in addition to the world renowned dancing. Moreover, it is quite a diverse cultural experience. I did not realize beforehand the show incorporated elements of Spanish flamenco, Russian ballet, and other folk contributions. I will be attending the show in a couple of weeks, and I have been looking forward to the performance for the past six months when I bought the tickets. The set designs are unique, as well. All in all, it is the best stage show I believe I've witnessed. Even for the non-dance afiscionados, this show is a treat.
Rating:
Summary: Another GREAT performance!
Review: I've seen them both, and they are both great! Has anyone noticed that Butler, Flatley and Dunne are all Americans? Ethnic traditions are almost always preserved in their purest forms away from the homeland... The American Wake is great dance and great theatre, but if you didn't see the PBS background material, you miss the significance. When someone left for America in the old days, the family held a kind of "wake" to say goodbye. They knew they would probably never meet again...
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