BENTON HARBOR — The Mendel Center recently announced that Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour is back by popular demand and will play at The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan Community College for one performance only at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Tickets for the international Irish dance show are on sale now.

The Edinburgh Evening News recognized the show’s milestone anniversary in an article.

“As for the flaws? Well, there simply aren’t any. Here’s to another 20 years,” the article stated.

Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty, and directed by John McColgan. Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour will feature new costumes, new lighting, new projections and the addition of a brand-new number, “Anna Livia,” featuring the female members of the Irish dance troupe in an a cappella hard-shoe number.

“The success of Riverdance across the whole world has gone beyond our wildest dreams,” said Doherty. “The fact that the show continues to draw and excite audiences is a tribute to every dancer, singer, musician, staff and crew member who have dedicated themselves to the show. This 20th Anniversary Tour is a thank you to our audiences and a celebration of what has been an incredible journey across two decades.”

Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour is a blend of dance, music and song. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures.

Riverdance — The 20th Anniversary World Tour has set design by Robert Ballagh, lighting design by John Comiskey, costume design by Joan Bergin, and sound design by Michael O’Gorman.

Riverdance began its journey as the interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, produced for television by Doherty. This innovative seven-minute dance piece was then developed into a full-length stage show by Doherty, Whelan and McColgan.

With its fusion of Irish and international music and dance, the show broke all box office records during its world première run in Dublin in early 1995.

When the show transferred to London, the reaction was unprecedented. There followed a successful tour starting in New York in March 1996, where eight sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall heralded the start of 16 years of non-stop touring by Riverdance companies throughout North America. Since its inception, Riverdance has packed theatres throughout North America, Oceania, Asia, Europe, South Africa, and South America.

For more information, please visit:

Website: riverdance.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/Riverdance