by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer

BILOXI (GG) — Last weekend, thunder was on the forecast, booming from Ireland as Riverdance 30 trickled down for four unforgettable shows at the Beau Rivage. Playing in 67 American cities, Riverdance 30 made landfall in Biloxi from June 5th through the 7th. For over 30 years, the group has toured, sharing their culture with the world.

This year, new kids on the block brought a fresh take, from flashy new costumes and updated choreography to high-tech motion graphics that moved with the dancers, all while paying homage to their roots. One of the shows lead performers, Olivia Nachitgal, was inspired by her river dancing predecessors as a child, “I grew up dancing, and I had a huge friend group of dancers, so we went to Calgary to see the show, and it was the most amazing experience,” from that day on, her path was forged, “the moment I saw ‘Riverdance, it was so incredible and seemed to be the next step,” or more accurately, her next tap.

The Saturday afternoon showing was led by Olivia Nachitgal and Gerard Byrne, following the journey of their ancestors, spanning across time and place, showcasing the art and soul of Riverdance and all that entails, not only highlighting the dancers but also the singers and musicians, each having their time to shine.

One of the show’s most impressive performers is the lead vocalist, whose voice anchors many of the production’s emotional moments. With lungs many would envy, she is also a dancer, shifting between demanding choreography and powerful vocal performances. Mark Alfred added another layer of beats on the drums, echoing the foot-taps, Haley Richardson fiddled with a fierceness that would send the Devil straight out of Georgia, and with the national bagpipes of Ireland, the Uilleann Pipes, Cathal Croke transported the dancers home, inviting the audience to fully immerse themselves in the culture.

Scene 7 roots the show in Irish lore, exploring the myth of Mad Sweeney, Suibhne or Shivna, who has haunted Ireland for centuries. As the tapping increases, the voices scream, “Suibne, Suibne, Sirthecháin, Sirthecháin, Suibne!” with the dancers draped in sparkling rags, rippling like the active waterfall behind them.

The scenes captured by Sound Designer Michael O’Gorman, Lead Designer for High Res Peter Canning, Set Designer Alan Farquharson, Lighting Designer Andrew Voller, and Motion Graphics by COSMO AV bring a futuristic life force to the production that is rarely witnessed. The sets move with the dancers and change. Throughout the hour-and-a-half-long show, the scenes explore the elements, like in Scene 6, “Firedance,” a woman in a flaring red dress moves across the stage, whipping around computerized flames, scuffing the floor and scorching the Earth.

The power of dance was on full display with the force of Scene 5, “Thunderstorm.” The stage darkened and the music built until, suddenly, the male ensemble became a storm of synchronized footwork, its power rumbling through the theater floor and into the audience’s seats.

Fast-paced one moment and solemn the next, the scenes created a kind of theatrical whiplash that keeps the audience leaning forward, drawing them into the rhythm.

Throughout the production, the crowd would clap along, turning the theater into a single heartbeat. Moments like that showed that Riverdance is not simply a showcase of technical precision. It is a journey, a story that travels over continents, from one generation to the next, exploring how traditions evolve and connect us all.

That story expands in Scene 12, “Trading Taps,” where cultures collide beneath city streetlamps. Irish immigrants are exposed to new traditions, each style revealing a different personality. Straight-backed precision faces off against looser, groove-driven movement in a playful dance battle against the crowd-loving duo, Dharmesh Patel and Kenard Williams, who jumped from a shuffle ball change to a split in an instant.

The Dervish ensemble, Christine Lesnikova, Ana Turcan, and Eugeniu Turcan arrived with flamboyant tricks and athletic flourishes. Continuing that evolution, Scene 14 brought the fiery Latin energy. Together, these contrasting scenes illustrate a transformation- this melting pot of dance, highlighting the transcultural desire to tell stories, preserve memories, and celebrate life through movement.

Costume Designer Joan Bergin utilized fabric to mirror the progression as traditional Celtic-inspired garments gave way to contemporary streetwear and vibrant modern designs, reflecting the journey from the old world to the new. Every change felt intentional, down to the sequin, honoring heritage while embracing reinvention.

One of the production’s most moving messages resonated with all, “In dance and song we gift and mourn our children… They carry us over the ocean in dance and song.” A theme that reaches beyond Ireland. Whether through migration, family history, or personal growth, many audience members can recognize themselves in a story about leaving home, carrying traditions forward, and discovering who they become along the way.

Under the creative leadership of composer Bill Whelan, producer Moya Doherty, director John McColgan, and executive producer and associate director Pádraic Moyles, Riverdance 30 gracefully balances tradition and innovation, honoring the legacy that made it a global phenomenon while stepping into its next chapter.

As the company continues its nationwide tour across 67 American cities, its stop at Beau Rivage demonstrated why Riverdance has endured for over three decades. Beau Rivage has built a reputation for bringing world-class entertainment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Riverdance proved a worthy addition.

By the last toe tap, the audience was on their feet. Riverdance had become more than a celebration of Irish culture. It had become a celebration of humanity itself. Where different generations, traditions, and styles found common rhythm, reminding audiences that, “We are one kind. We are one people now, our voices blended, our music a great world in which we can feel everywhere at home.”

Or, as the Irish proverb declares: “Ní neart go cur le chéile.” Together, we are strong.