UNIVERSITY PARK – More than 50 million people have seen Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, the international Irish dancing phenomenon that has performed sold-out shows in more than 45 countries.
Irish dance lovers and music fans can experience the engaging, rhythmic adventure, which has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a massive wave of Celtic dance mania, when the tour returns to Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium for one show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Tickets go on sale to the general public Dec. 8.
Section one and two tickets are $46.50 and $36.50 each. For tickets and information, visit the online ticket center
Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, serves as artistic director and continues to oversee all aspects of the production he created. 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 has developed beyond my wildest dreams,” Flatley said.
“We have the greatest dancers in the world who bring their unrivalled skill, energy and enthusiasm to each performance, making them superstars in their own right. Every night they captivate audiences with their infectious talent, and I have just been so lucky to have them.”
Global ticket sales for Lord of the Dance exceed $500 million. An estimated two million people attended Lord of the Dance during its four-year residency in Las Vegas.
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, a classic tale of good versus evil based on old Irish folklore, concerns Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord, challenging the Lord of the Dance. It is also a love story expressed through dance numbers that transport audiences into a mystical and exhilarating world of passion. The action is played out during 21 scenes of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.
The Lord of the Dance troupe features Irish dance champions from around the world. These gifted performers, with an average age of 22, 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 has broken attendance records throughout the world,” says Lee Marshall, president of Magic Arts & Entertainment, the tour promoter and a veteran of many blockbuster entertainment events. “Part of its charm is the ability to spirit audiences away to a wondrous place and time for a few hours. Lord envelops them like few shows can, with standing ovations the norm.”
