THUNDERING applause greeted the opening numbers of the long awaited premiere of Riverdance: The Show in New York last night just as principal dancer, Jean Butler had expected. The actress from suburban Mineola, Long Island, had announced during a pause in final rehearsals: "I'm predicting a very welcoming audience. Half of them will be my family".
As opening nights go, this was classic Broadway. Ms Butler, whose 25th birthday happened to coincide with last evening's performance at Radio City Music Hall, celebrated by 120 guests. Search lights raked the night sky as Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson and Chevy Chase filed into the landmark art deco theatre. Early word of mouth reviews were ecstatic: "The energetic and youthful troupe takes step dancing into the next century," Patricia O'Haire wrote in the New York Daily News. "It's too bad the show has such a limited run. They will be welcomed back."
The audience of 7,300 was thick with Irish and American political and social personalities: the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen; RTE's director general, Mr Joe Barry; the chairman of Bord Failte, Mr Padraig OhUiginn; Senator Edward Kennedy; the head of New York's police force, Chief William Bratton, and the US Ambassador to Ireland, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith.
Last night's premiere was the culmination of a week long blitz of party going and preparation that completely dominated the city's roster of St Patrick's Day events.
At the Aer Lingus sunset champagne reception at the top of Rockefeller Centre, the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Mr Kenny, said "We in Ireland are building on the success of U2, the Chieftains and the Cranberrries as exports. It's the heart and soul of Ireland."
Speaking before the performance, producer Moya Doherty - expressed cautious confidence that Riverdance would have a long future in the US. "I am overwhelmed really," she said, reporting gross ticket sales of $2 million for eight performances, which have been sold out.
"A year ago yesterday, we closed our first run at The Point. We really didn't think at that point we'd be opening at Radio City. We're confident with what we've got. But it's important for us to gain the stamp of approval of Broadway critics."
When Americans got their first glimpse of Riverdance on the Late Show With David Letterman last Friday, the studio audience rose to a standing ovation. "They were there for a chat show and as soon as we started they were vibing it. It gave us a buzz," said male lead Colin Dunne, who is making his second New York stage appearance. "I was thinking, were all these people Irish?"
Before the show's opening, Butler and other performers had complained of sore legs and knees caused by the extreme rigidity of the stage. "Although it is a wooden floor that has been danced on for 60 years, the dancers are finding it very hard," Ms Doherty said. But as of last night, there had been no serious injuries or programme changes.