"Riverdance' on Broadway:
A Memorable Experience with LP Player Noel Heraty"

Noel Heraty's percussion setup--check
out the view from his performance balcony!

If you're looking to "leave your troubles behind you,"then "Riverdance" is the show to see! It's uplifting, energetic - a story with "soul." One might think at first glance that the show is simply about the Irish community, but this isn't so. Rather, it is a multi-cultural saga that spans centuries and moves across the Atlantic from Ireland to New York.

My friend, Kathleen Furby, and I were lucky enough to get excellent seats near the performance balcony of the percussionist, Noel Heraty. To say that he had a full array of instruments is no exaggeration! I think he had every single instrument from the LP catalog. At least it seemed that way - and he played all of them with great skill. It was enjoyable and exciting to be able to hear and identify each instrument throughout the performance. It was also amazing to grasp just how the instruments worked separately and alone to complement the dancers' rhythmic, energizing sound. At one point, Noel performed a solo, onstage, with an LP Djembe; this was one powerful moment.

A great shot of the "Riverdance" Troupe.

The leading vocalists - Brian Kennedy, Tsidi Leloka, and Sara Clancy - were phenomenal. There was also a wide range of superb voices from the Riverdance Singers and the Amanzi Singers from South Africa. Although the Irish dancers are the show's specialty, there are a number of other top performers, including American tap dancers, a Flamenco dancer, and a troupe of Russian dancers; they serve to integrate the presentation at the same time that they highlight cultural differences. No doubt about it, this is a show that touches the human spirit!

After the production we were treated to a backstage tour by Noel. He was a perfect Irish gentleman, patiently showing us his playing space, instruments, and the stage area. He spoke of the influences on his music and of his European and non-European background. Born in Limerick, Ireland, he studied classical percussion in Dublin and London. His Latin percussion studies were done in the United States. One of his biggest Latin influences was Tito Puente; he has also studied Latin percussion with Richie Gajate-Garcia and Efrain Toro.

And Noel has also taken to the skies! He is now licensed to fly small planes and is continuing his lessons to obtain a commercial pilot's license.