The Irish theatrical sensation known as “Riverdance” was first performed as intermission entertainment during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest held at the Point Theatre in Dublin. The seven-minute dance number was not part of the actual competition, but it was still seen by a more than 300 million television viewers and audiences were taken aback by the dynamic fusion of Irish music and dance unlike anything they had ever seen before.

The Eurovision presentation proved to be so riveting that the company was invited to perform the number again, a few months later, in London, for Prince Charles during the Royal Variety Performance.  The response, again, was phenomenal. John McColgan and Moya Doherty, a husband and wife producing team, immediately saw the potential and set out to use the number as the centerpiece of a fully formed stage show with a story to tell.  With music by Bill Whelan, the show we now know as “Riverdance” opened in 1995.

Reel Around The Sun Photos: Courtesy Riverdance

Thirty years later, the show has been experienced by more than 30 million people on six continents. Continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots, “Riverdance” typically has several casts touring simultaneously. Companies filled with award-winning dancers are currently performing in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Dublin, and Belfast.

The US company, titled “Riverdance 30 – The New Generation,” returns to its longtime home at The Wang Theatre from April 8 – 13.  

John McColgan has said that “on this tour we look forward to welcoming ‘The New Generation’ of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made “Riverdance” a worldwide celebration of music and dance.”

The 30th anniversary production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with innovative new choreography and costumes, state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics – plus a new generation of exceptional performers. 

It’s interesting to note that most of the New Generation dancers were not even born when “Riverdance” began. Through the years, the show has continued to drive new interest in Irish dancing, and in turn, a feverish desire to perform in the show. 

A few summers ago, I was invited to spend a day at the Riverdance Summer Academy, held every other summer in Boston and Dublin. The program, taking place locally on the campus of Boston University, is taught by Riverdance’s professional dancers.  

Among the many artists dancers I crossed paths with that day was Maggie Darlington, who has worked her way up in the company to now appear as Lead Dancer in the tour coming to Boston.

Maggie began dancing with the Claddagh School of Irish Dance in California. She won four North American Championships, two All-Ireland Championships, and in 2007 won the World Irish Dancing Championship. In 2010 she performed the lead role in Busch Gardens’s production “Celtic Fyre” and originated the lead female role in “Battle of the Dance.” 

Lead Dancer, Maggie Darlington Photo: Courtesy Riverdance
 

She was invited to join the cast of “Riverdance” in 2011 and eventually became a Principal Dancer, touring extensively with the show in North America and internationally. She was also a Principal Dancer with “Heartbeat of Home.” 

When I last spoke with Padraic Moyles, Dublin-born Executive Producer, former lead dancer of “Riverdance” and Course Director of the Academy, he praised Maggie, saying, “She is just absolutely, truly breathtaking -- and that goes for her off stage as well as onstage.  Her ability to portray the characters while also having the talent, the elegance, the regalness, and the power.  In terms of her performance, she is absolutely astonishing . . .  She is the silent leader, as I call her. To me, she has a terrific sense of self-awareness, as well as emotional intelligence. She really is a stunning, stunning, stunning performer to watch.”

Maggie and I reconnected to talk about the anniversary tour and more while she was performing with the show in Washington, D.C.  We spoke by phone immediately after a matinee.

Q. You’ve become an integral part of the “Riverdance” experience and I’m sure, an inspiration to the new cast members. Looking back to your own beginnings, when did you start to dance?

A. Irish dancing in general, I was three . . . I had two older sisters who happened to be talented . . . I wanted to be just like them, so I kind of followed in their footsteps. (Laughing) But there was no pressure on me . . . I really got to fall in love with it in my own time and my own way. 

Q. You’ve won so many competitions over the years. Were those experiences pressure-filled or exhilarating?

A. Of course there was stress, but I did enjoy pushing myself . . . and learning new things.  I did find it exhilarating, something to work toward.  And I think I had a good mindset for it.  I was always trying to do better than I did the last time. I wasn’t really worried about other people. It was always like, okay, I did that the last time, if we can do one step better, cool.  

Q. How did you come to join “Riverdance”?

A. I would have auditioned around 2009 or 2010 . . . I was out of high school, and I was in my first or second year of college.  I had gotten the contact info to send in my resume and stuff. At that time, there was a yearly audition in Dublin. Because they had it every year, they had kind of a stockpile of people to choose from.  And the person I was in contact with, they were very kind.  They were like, it’s very far and expensive for you to go if you potentially just get put on a list, so they actually organized for me to audition when the show was out in California. I auditioned with the dance captain in the rehearsal hall when [the show was] in San Diego. 

Q. You’ve traveled all over the world with “Riverdance.”  Were any audiences particularly memorable?

A. Japan was really amazing . . . The audiences really love it.  The year I did go, we had the cherry blossoms. Culturally it’s so different. It was very exciting . . . There were always people at the stage door. They were much more responsive than we anticipated, because sometimes in Asia, the culture is more reserved, so you don’t always get that feedback.   

Q. You’ve also been part of the Riverdance Summer Academy held here in Boston.  With your extensive history, many of the students must be in awe of you.

A. It’s so fun to give back, especially as the years have gone on.  It’s incredible how many kids come back.  It’s fun to watch them grow.  We’ve had a few people who’ve been 11 and now they’re auditioning for the show at 17, 18 . . . They love getting to ask questions. Their favorite is about anything that goes wrong on stage. (Laughing) . . . They work so hard, they’re so well-behaved . . .  It really is a pleasure to work with all of them.

Q. You’re featured in so many big moments in the show, including the title number closing the first act. Any special spots in the show you really enjoy watching from the wings when you’re not on stage?

A. Yes, we have a really incredible flamenco dancer, so I would say [her scene] Andalucía and / or The Fire Dance are high on my favorites. 

Q. This isn’t your first time performing at the Wang.  Anything special you’re looking forward to doing or seeing this time around in Boston?

A. You have some very good hotpots in Chinatown there.  I’m looking forward to that.  And there’s talk of going to a baseball game, which would be really fun.

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“Riverdance 30 – The New Generation,” April 8 – 13, The Wang Theatre, bochcenter.org.   

Note: Those attending Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances will be eligible to win two round-trip tickets to Ireland, courtesy of Aer Lingus.