November 22, 2004

Michael Flatley's 'Lord of the Dance' Returns To The Morrison Center Jan 19-20

TICKETS NOW ON SALE  World’s Highest Grossing Dance Show Since 1996 Visits More Than 40 U.S. Cities   LOS ANGELES — Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” tour — the international Irish dancing phenomenon that has performed sold out shows at theaters, arenas and stadiums in more than 45 countries — is returning to theaters across the United States for its ninth consecutive year. The tour is scheduled to dance its way into Boise Jan. 19-20, 2005.   Tickets are available by calling (208) 426-1110 or (208) 426-1494, by visiting the Morrison Center box office or any Select-a-Seat outlet, or online at idahotickets.com or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Groups of 20 or more should call (208) 426-4103. Tickets are $49.50, $40 and $27.50 for both performances.   More than 50 million people worldwide have seen “Lord of the Dance,” coming off an extremely successful and highly acclaimed four-year residency in Las Vegas — with an estimated two million people attending the show.   Audiences across the United States will have a chance to experience the extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a new wave of Celtic dance mania. Global ticket sales for “Lord of the Dance” now exceed $500 million.    Michael Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, serves as the artistic director and continues to oversee all aspects of the production. 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 as having “the world’s fastest feet” at 35 taps per second.   “’Lord of the Dance’ is so close to my heart. I am gratified by the wild applause and excitement of the audience night after night, country after country,” says Flatley. “The show is continuously updated so that it’s constantly fresh and exciting for the audience and the dancers, without changing the foundation that has made ‘Lord of the Dance’ the success that it is today.”   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 is a classic tale of good vs. evil based on old Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord, challenges the Lord of the Dance. It is also a passionate love story that is expressed through dance numbers that transport audiences into a mystical and exhilarating world of intense passion. The action is played out over 21 scenes, on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.   Flatley explains, “’Lord of the Dance’ is not ballet. It’s not tap. It’s not Flamenco. It’s something that I created from scratch because nothing else was just right.”   The “Lord of the Dance” troupe features Irish dance champions from around the world. These gifted performers, who have an average age of 22 years experience, 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’ is one of the top grossing theatrical tours in history,” said Lee Marshall, president of Magic Arts & Entertainment, the tour promoter and a veteran of many blockbuster entertainment events. “Thousands of eager fans continue to line up at every performance thanks to these young, talented and energetic dancers.”   For more information, visit www.lordofthedance.com.    -30-     Contact:  Kathy Lustica, (801) 703.2051, kathylustica@clearchannel.com   Media Contacts: Scott Bodmer, Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, (208) 426-1629 Kathleen Craven, Boise State Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu About Magic Arts & Entertainment   Magic Arts & Entertainment, headed by Lee Marshall and Joe Marsh, is one of the foremost tour producing companies in the U.S. In addition to “Lord of the Dance,” the company is currently producing “The Magic of David Copperfield” and “Grease,” starring Frankie Avalon. As former owners of Magicworks Entertainment, Marshall and Marsh produced and promoted some of the world’s most successful concerts, theatricals and family shows.   About Global Entertainment Group   Based in Las Vegas, Global Entertainment Group has been part of the extraordinary success of “Lord of the Dance” since 1998. Global’s president, Bob Cayne, has co-promoted “Lord of the Dance” and “David Copperfield” touring projects worldwide.