"Carey gracefully picks up where Flatley left off"

by Deborah Munson
Special to the Record Express

Editor's Note: To provide a knowlegable perspective on the Irish Dance performance by Realta on July 4, the Record Express asked Lititz resident and Irish Dance fan Deborah Munson to provide her critique of the show.

For those who had never seen the power of Irish dance ""Riverdance'' style before, last Thursday's performance of Realta during the annual Lititz Fourth of July celebration was a rocking introduction.

John Carey and his troupe of dancers -- with leading lady, Fiona Kidd -- ignited the stage and gave the audience the first public glimpse of their new show. The 10 dancers, despite the grueling humidity and heat, delivered an almost mind-boggling performance that left the audience on its feet shouting for more. It also left two of the dancers suffering afterwards from heat exhaustion.

Realta is far from the traditional Irish dance that many a lad and lass have learned in dance schools around the world. Carey has taken it even further than his former boss, Michael Flatley, with costuming and choreography that strays far from traditional, incorporating jazz, blues, and romantic influences.

These add unique flair and fun to Realta that separates it from Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Gaelforce, and other Irish dance shows currently touring the globe. But the stepping, tapping, heel clicks, and kicking of the dancing remain true to form and the synchronized footwork of the troupe that usually astounds an audience did not disappoint anyone.

As any of these dancers will confide, what they do on stage can't be done without first perfecting the traditions of Irish step dancing. Other than Carey and Kidd, the Realta dancers that performed for us are 16- and 17-year-old young people, mostly Carey's own students from the Doherty School in Birmingham, England.

As for Carey's performance, his talent is undeniable. The high kicks and leaps he delivered certainly gave reason to his nickname among Irish dance fans as ""Air Carey.'' That Carey served as understudy to Michael Flatley while Flatley toured with Lord of the Dance in the late '90s certainly shows.

Carey learned well the craft of interacting with the audience from a master showman, exuding the same type of energetic charisma and charm recognizable to those who have followed Flatley for years. Though Carey has developed his own unique style and form, shades of Flatley's influence also come across in his dance performance. And that's not saying anything bad about John Carey. Flatley has a devoted worldwide following from learning to please his audience. John Carey has learned a similar lesson -- give the audience what you know they will like. And we definitely liked it!

Carey and Kidd were in for a surprise of their own during and after the performance. A small group of loyal Michael Flatley fans gathered in Lititz to see the debut of Realta and managed, as Flatley's craziest fans usually do, to get front row seats. Being familiar with both dancers from their touring days with Lord of the Dance, the group decided to show their support for the new show and check out what John is up to these days. Carey was pleasantly surprised during his performance to hear their shouts and look down to see familiar faces!

Afterwards, through hugs and laughter, he told them, ""I was so surprised to see you that I forgot what I was doing and almost missed my cue to move back down the stage!'' Amazingly, he remembered by name most of the group, even though it had been two years since he had seen them.

Reaction to the show from the fans was mixed but positive. Because the Lititz performance contained only excerpts from the full Realta show, it was difficult to tell if there is a story line to the production. Some of the routines, though good, were lacking some energy --quite possibly due to the horrible heat. During the three encores there seemed a little confusion as to how to pull off the reprises -- an opening night hitch, no doubt.

As a whole, John and his troupe get a ""thumbs up.'' Carey shared with the fans backstage that he and the dancers are full of ideas that they are anxious to continue to develop in the show. He added that he hopes to find the backing and see everything fall into place to take the full show on tour this fall.

Since Michael Flatley retired from the dance stage last summer, many fans have been wondering ""what now?'' -- better put, ""who now?''

Realta seems to be answering that question.

The show has potential. John Carey certainly has the capability of picking up Flatley's mantle and doing what Flatley has stated he hopes will happen -- that the younger dancers will now take it further than he has.

Bravo, John! We hope you do get to take the show on the road this fall. We'll be there to cheer you on!

Deborah is a life coach with her company, Creative Pathways, which strives to help people create a path to make their dreams come true.

Click here to go back to the John Carey interview. Click here for Christine Rudock's Realta photos taken on July 4th.

Review: Deborah Munson
Original Web Design: Alexander Servas