| Thanks to Rick Reitz,
we have permission to include his original interview and write-ups about John
Carey and Realta here at the Celtic Cafe. Rick is the editor of the Lititz Record
Express, an award-winning weekly community newspaper recognized in 2002 as the
best paper of its size in Pennsylvania. He resides in Lititz with his wife Lisa,
their adorable one-year-old daughter Hannah, and their cat Dagwood. Thanks to
him also for the terrific photos included here!! Lititz Record Express,
July 4, 2002 issue Realta is ready to ignite Lititz by
Richard Reitz Editor, Record Express LITITZ - When John Carey and his
Realta dancers take the stage on Thursday evening, it will be unlike anything
that has ever been witnessed in Lititz Springs Park ever before. Actually,
it will be unlike anything witnessed anywhere ever before. Carey, who has
starred in the internationally-renowned Lord of the Dance and Riverdance troupes,
has choreographed his own show, and the Lititz Fourth of July Celebration has
the honor of hosting the premiere of the next generation of Irish Dance - Realta
- making this hometown celebration the envy of Irish Dance fans nationwide. From
his home in Birmingham, England, the former understudy to Michael Flatley discussed
his new troupe and this show, as well as his dance background, with the Record
Express. Lititz Record: When will you be arriving in Lititz,
and how long will you be staying? John Carey: We are (arriving)
in Lititz on Tuesday, July 2. We will rehearse on July 3, and then show day is
the 4th. On the 5th we are going to Boston for the North American Irish Dancing
championships, where some of the dancers will compete. We then come back to Lititz
on the 7th and return home on July 9. LR: What will the folks of Lititz
experience when Realta takes the stage? JC: I think that it will be
very exciting. I am certainly excited about it! It is going to be Irish dancing
with a few extra twists that have never been done before. Hopefully they will
love it. The piece we are doing is only a half-hour excerpt from the full show,
and I hope we will leave the audience wanting more! We also have a special tribute
to Independence Day incorporated in the show, so it is kind of a one-off performance
especially for the folks of Lititz. LR: How many dancers will be featured
in the show? JC: Due to the size of the stage there will be 10 dancers
altogether, which is a reduced troupe, but I still feel that they will have a
big impact. There will be myself, my leading lady Fiona Kidd, who also starred
in Lord of the Dance, and eight young dancers (between the ages of 16 and 22)
from the school where I teach. They are the best troupe of Irish dancers, including
two current World Solo Champions, Kelly Stephens and Declan McHale; two current
solo All-Ireland Champions, Edward Searle and Helen Wilkinson; and four World
Team dancing champions, Michelle Smith, Grace McSharry, Dean McCabe and Darren
McHale. LR: What is the genesis of the name "Realta'? JC:
The name comes from the Irish word which means spark, and I hope we ignite a spark
in everyone on July 4th! LR: This will be the first performance of Realta.
How did Lititz earn that honor? JC: That is true, it has never been
performed in public before. I have been thinking about the show for quite a while
now, and have been choreographing pieces in my head and on paper, but never put
it all together until now. Clair Brothers contacted a friend of mine who was involved
in the production stages and asked would it be possible to bring it to Lititz
for July 4th, so it's thanks to Clair Brothers audio! LR: Will you be
touring with Realta following this show? JC: I would love to have the
opportunity to tour with the show, and hopefully there will be a tour later in
the year. LR: You've had some amazing opportunities at a young age. How
difficult was it for you --and your family-- to make that leap to professional
touring dancer while still in school? JC: It was a tough decision, but
dancing is something I had done all my life and loved it. I could never see dancing
as hard work, and I think that everyone's ideal job is to do something that they
truly love. LR: When you are not performing, what keeps you busy? JC:
Since leaving Lord of The Dance I have been teaching dancing with the Doherty
Academy, the school where I trained, which I really love. And not one to be idle,
I went to college to study sports injury therapy, personal fitness training, nutrition
and sports massage. I just graduated a few weeks ago, which was a relief because
teaching six classes a week, on top of eight hours of college a day, on top of
assignments, was really hard work! LR: Irish dance continues to be extremely
popular in America. Any comparisons between American and European audience responses
to your shows? JC: The shows go down great pretty much anywhere; it
is a universal response. I think everyone can appreciate the technical ability
required as well as the sheer excitement of the whole spectacle, and people just
get caught up in it! I really love the American audiences, as they tend
to express their appreciation more vocally, which it is great for the dancers
to be able to hear the cheering and clapping. Whereas the Europeans tend to be
a little more reserved. LR: How much time do you spend rehearsing, choreographing
and training during an average day? JC: I try to go to the gym 3-4 times
per week to keep my general fitness up, and then when I am teaching I am usually
dancing myself, so that tends to be enough. But we have been training hard for
this performance for the last couple of months. LR: There are going to
be a lot of young dancers performing earlier in the day on the stage from our
local troupes, the New Line Revue and Encore Dance Center. No doubt they will
be eager to see your show. Any advice for those young dancers? JC: Just
keep practicing, that's what makes perfect! They should definitely draw inspiration
not only from myself and Fiona, who have been professional for a number of years,
but the young troupe dancers, who for most of them, this is their first major
performance on a professional level. They have all been competing very successfully
for years, but I chose them for this performance because they are young, fresh
and eager to learn. I think they could be a great inspiration to the young dancers
in Lititz. LR: When did you first discover dance, and when did you have
your first thoughts that you might wish to pursue it professionally? JC:
I started when I was seven and absolutely hated every minute of it at first! I
was dragged along by my mother, but then when I stared competing, I made a lot
of friends from all over the country who I would meet up with two or three times
a month at the competitions. Then I started to travel to the States for the North
American championships and Ireland for the World Championships, and I really started
to enjoy it. I never really thought of it as a profession, because until
Riverdance and the other shows came along, there was no real professional outlet
for Irish dancers. You could do a bit of cabaret work here and there, but it was
not really a full time job. Then when I got the call to join Riverdance, everything
changed! LR: What sacrifices did you have to make in order to make this
happen? JC: I sacrificed going to Oxford University, that was probably
the major one. Other than that, nothing really. Obviously, I sacrificed my free
time when I was younger, but I didn't see it as a sacrifice because I am the type
of person that likes to be busy all the time and I was always either at dancing,
music, swimming, school athletics, drama or some other activity. I was never really
idle, which I think is the best way to be. LR: When you are not dancing,
what activities or other interests do you have? JC: I like to work out
at the gym, and I swim a lot, and I like to catch up with my old school friends
and other friends outside of dancing because when I was on tour, I rarely got
to see any of them. LR: Any challenges or rivalries being English in
an Irish Dance troupe? JC: No, I don't think so. Nearly everyone has
an Irish background and sees themselves as Irish anyway! LR: What impression
would you like to leave with your audience when they leave at the end of the performance? JC:
Astounded. Overwhelmed. Wanting more? I hope! LR: Are you planning to
stick around afterward for the big fireworks display? JC: Definitely,
we are going to stick around afterwards for the fireworks... and a bit of a party,
maybe! The following is Rick Reitz' July 11th write-up afterwards,
showing that July 4th in Lititz was indeed a great party! "Grand
Ol' Fourth: 185th celebration one of best ever"
by Richard Reitz
Editor, Record Express Lititz
Springs Park was packed with two types of people on the evening of the Fourth
-- die-hard fans of Irish Dancing, and freshly-converted fans of Irish Dancing.
John Carey and his new troupe Realta lived up to all expectations with their
international debut, and delivered a blistering performance on an unbelievably
hot day at Lititz Springs Park.
Despite the persistent heat, the 185th
annual Fourth of July Celebration will be memorable for its performances on the
stage. Attendance figures were not available at presstime, but it will no doubt
rank as one of the top draws in the history of the park.
From start to
finish, the day was filled with entertainment that, coupled with an Italian ice
or cool beverage, helped make that heat more bearable.
Jill Newberry,
daughter of Warren and Suzanne Newberry, was crowned 2002 Queen of Candles during
the evening ceremony that served as a prelude to the magnificent illumination
of 7,000 candles along Lititz Run, followed by another spectacular fireworks show
set to patriotic music.
Throughout the day, freshman Fourth emcee and
former Lititz resident Curtis Earth kept things flowing from performer to performer,
incorporating his trivia show into the event. He even gave contestants an opportunity
to cool off with squirt guns, which were used as ""punishment'' when
a question was missed.
The entertainment for the day opened with a demonstration
by Lititz World Tang Soo Do, a martial arts training school at 400 N. Cedar St.
It was an impressive display by the young students.
Damion Wolfe, the
first musical act of the day, joked that he took off his shoes and immediately
suffered second degree burns, in regard to the heat.
The Encore Dance
Center and New Line Revue dazzled audiences once again. Eight-year-old Shannyn
Cromer received a standing ovation for her heartfelt solo vocal rendition of ""It's
a Grand Ol' Flag'' as part of the New Line Revue show. Her mother, Susie, said
Shannyn has been singing since she could talk. An equally fitting tribute to America
was John Bonfield's patriotic recitation during the Lititz Community Band's hour-long
performance.
Enthusiastic audiences greeted the always-entertaining Steven
Courtney, and Miss T and the Mosquitoes drew rave reviews from the audience as
they turned the heat up a notch with their energizing blues-rock set.
Sisters
Olivia, Dominique, Jillian and Gabriela -- The Little Women Band -- caught the
attention of the audience with their a cappella performance of the National Anthem,
and continued to impress the crowd with their solid country sound, led by Jillian's
surprisingly mature vocals.
Over in the memorabilia tent, Lititz artist
Debra Smith was signing the July 4 program cover, which features her watercolor
of the Lititz Train Station. The original is for sale for $5,250, and will be
on display at the Outdoor Art Show in the park on July 27.
Civil War reenactors
with the 30th Pa. Co. E, with an encampment near the rear of the park, included
local father and son participants, Ed and Zach Hartmann, who suffered through
the humidity in their wool Union army uniforms. Like many, their involvement spawned
from heritage. James Graham, an ancestor in the Hartmann line, was a musician
in Capt. Brewster's 26th W.Va. regiment.
The most frequently asked question:
""Is that hot?'' in regard to their wool uniforms.
The most
frequent answer to the most frequent question: ""Yes.'' The
Shelley family's Betsy Ross float was the Grand Prize winner of the 13th annual
Baby Parade, sponsored by the Lititz Women of Today. The float featured Danielle
Shelley, 9 months, escorted by Alex Shelley, 7, and Christina Shelley, 4. They
are the children of Chip and Sandy Shelley of Lititz.
Top honors in the
Prettiest category was awarded to Amber Nicole Ressler, 15 months, daughter of
Keith and Mary Ressler, Lititz; second place, Gianna Jones, 11 months, daughter
of Nadine and Shane Jones, Lititz; and third place, Keyara Buchter, 11 months,
daughter of Alissa Buchter, Lititz.
The Best Use of Red, White and Blue
first place honor was presented to Amelia Fair, 1, daughter of David and Melodie
Fair, Lititz; second place, Daniel Spadaro, 18 months, son of Beverly and Christopher
Spadaro, Lititz; and third place, Hannah Elizabeth Faus, 20 months, daughter of
Kim and Lee Faus, Holly Springs, N.C.
The Most Humorous top honor went
to Corrie Murray, 3, and Caleb Murray, 3 months, escorted by Aaron Murray, 9.
The are the children of Mark and Tracy Murray, Lititz; second place, Brooke Newberry,
8 months, daughter of Warren and Suzanne Newberry, 444 Springfield Court, Lititz;
and third place, Owen Quinn Snyder, 15 weeks, son of Erik and Nancy Snyder, Lititz.
Best Representation of Theme went to Katie Himmelberger, 1, escorted by Liz
Himmelberger, 7, daughters of Mike and Michelle Himmelberger, Lititz; second place,
Sarabeth Gass, 4, and Evan Gass, 3, children of Ken and Debbie Gass, Lititz Chloe;
and third place, Elizabeth Hain, 21 months, daughter of Scott and Heather Hain,
Lititz.
Other participants in the parade included: Myranda Oettel, 4,
daughter of Janet and Kevin Oettel, Penryn; Bobby Rice, 21 months, son of Bob
and Amber Rice, Reading; Aaron Jacob Hocko, 17 months, son of Bonny and Bob Hocko,
Lititz; Catrina and Ciara Cressman, 3-year-old twins, escorted by Jocelyn Cressman,
9, daughters of Cyndi Cressman, Lititz; Skylar Garvey, 19 months, son of Bob and
Sherry Garvey, Lititz; Lynsey Fultz, 7 months, daughter of John and Deb Fultz,
McClure; Connor Kilgore, 4, and Corbin Kilgore, 1, sons of Josh and Jessica Kilgore,
Lititz; Luke Taylor, 7 months, son of Ryan and Ginger Taylor, Lititz; Sydney Thompson,
3, and A.J. Thompson, 19 months, children of Robin and Mark Thompson, East Petersburg;
Jaylyn and Caitlyn Wagner, 18-month-old twins, daughters of Don and Tammy Wagner,
Lititz; and Joe Wunderlich, 5, son of Joseph and Karla Wunderlich, Manheim.
Stephen Seeber contributed to this report. *** "For
the Record" Column
"What was "it' that
made this Fourth the best ever" "For the Record"
by
Richard Reitz
Editor, Record Express If we are to believe the annual
trend that we see with our Fourth of July Celebration, as reported in our local
newspaper, each celebration is just a little bit better than the previous year's.
Sure, there may be occasional exceptions, usually weather-related washouts...
but this trend of annual improvement is not just a self-congratulating pat-on-the-back;
there is some truth to it. I think it is because this is a community-run festival
that rarely chooses to rest on its laurels.
Never has that been more true
than this year -- which was, in my humble opinion, the finest celebration I have
witnessed since I first discovered Independence Day in Lititz back in 1994.
OK, I have a frame of reference that includes a mere nine celebrations --
a little less than five percent of the total number of observances that have occurred
in Lititz during its 185-year run. But if I apply historical references about
general improvement in the quality of the celebration, then I feel pretty comfortable
in this grandiose conclusion:
This was the best ever. Number 1 out of
185. Even with the heat.
And boy, if our forefathers had waited one more
day with the Declaration of Independence... wasn't the weather great on the 5th?
There are many reasons why I think it was the best. I thought the entertainment,
start to finish, was first class -- and that much of it was home-grown talent
makes it even more impressive. I thought the pace of the events from Sunday through
Thursday was nice and consistent -- last week there was something interesting
to do every night. Also, the new stage, with the lighting and giant screen, gave
the evening shows quite a sophisticated look.
One other reason is because,
that night, a lot of people were jealous of the folks in Lititz. People who have
never heard of the town, never witnessed our magnificent candle display or relaxed
in our community park, suddenly wished they were here.
""I can't
tell you how much I envy those of you who were in that audience on July 4th,''
said Bernadette Price of Portland, Oregon.
Bernadette works at The Celtic
Cafe, a website dedicated to, among other things, the world of Irish Dance.
""Based on the postings about John in the years we've been around,
this young man has a solid fan base already in place... just waiting to see Realta.
Over and over again,'' she said.
Since she first got wind that Realta
was coming to Lititz, which, believe it or not, was about the same day the May
9 Record Express story hit newsstands, Bernadette has been following the progress,
and has taken a keen interest in Lititz. She has been impressed (from afar) by
the Fourth of July Celebration we hold here.
""Circumstances
were such that you folks not only put on a spectacular Fourth of July celebration
every year,'' she said, ""but that this year you got to have John Carey
do a preview performance of Realta as part of it! Fans such as myself... have
had the opportunity to see a lot of wonderful dancers. Few have all the attributes
that John Carey does.
She said that, beyond winning all of the competitions
of the traditional Irish dance world, he has something else... that indefinable
""it.''
""There are a lot of talented dancers in these
shows, but what is key is the charisma required to go along with that, for true
onstage success... John has it in spades. He's incredible, and since you have
seen him dance, you know why he has earned the nickname "Air Carey.'
Indeed, the intensity of the show was impressive, and that the 10-member troupe
could maintain it under difficult circumstances was equally amazing. The heat
was oppressive, and after the show, John told me that, while his dancers are used
to performing under the heat of stage lighting, it's nothing compared to what
they experienced in Lititz that night. John, sweaty and shirtless after the show,
and cheerfully greeting several of his dedicated fans, actually seemed relaxed
and no worse for wear -- though two of the dancers were treated for heat exhaustion
afterward. This troupe left it all on the stage for the Lititz audience.
It's
just one of the many elements that make Carey the best at what he does, Bernadette
said.
""Being a great dancer isn't enough... you also have to
have showmanship. John has that nailed. He's not only talented, but intelligent
and nice... one can only hope that the entertainment industry "market forces'
will enable him to launch Realta as a full touring show one day in the near future.
We have been without him for far too long!''
After this magnificent celebration,
I can't wait to see what's in store for Lititz at the 186th celebration next year!
No doubt, the best one ever.
Click
here to go back to the John Carey Celtic Cafe interview. Click
here for Deborah Munson's review of Realta for the Lititz Record Express.
Click here for Christine Rudock's Realta
photos taken on July 4th
Feature: Bernadette
Price
Original Web Design: Alexander
Servas
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