30 Years, 74 Marriages and 136 Babies Later; Riverdance Returns with a New Generation of Performers

Ní neart go chur le chéile, together we are strong.

Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy®-winning music and infectious energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances has left audiences in awe, and established it as a global sensation. Riverdance returns to Walton Arts Center for three performances June 9-11.

Composed by Bill Whelan in 1994 for an interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, Riverdance symbolizes the cycle of life and the Irish experience of emigration and renewal. The show is built to explore how people from different lands bring their own culture to countries they emigrate to, particularly through the art of music and dance.

Riverdance 30: The Next Generation, is a new tour that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the cultural phenomenon. This is “the Riverdance you remember,” says The Chicago Tribune, “superbly and joyously performed ... packaged with narrative and spectacle.” The show is rejuvenated for new audiences with innovative choreography and a “new generation” of performers, none of whom were born when the show began.

Riverdance has been seen by over 31 million people in 51 countries with over 16,000 performances and over 1,500 featured Irish dancers. The cast has also produced 74 marriages and 136 “Riverdance babies” (children born to the show’s touring couples).

The current company consists of “Riverdance baby” John Porter, 23, who has been with the company since 2022 and is the son of two former Riverdance lead company members. The cast also features a sibling duo as lead dancers: Will and Kieran Bryant from Sydney, Australia. For many of these dancers, Riverdance has always been their dream. Thousands of kids train at Riverdance academies every year, some even starting at just six years old.