Flatley’s swan song: Stint on Broadway
NEW YORK — “Riverdance” star Michael Flatley, who helped spark a worldwide Celtic dance craze, will make his long-awaited Broadway stage debut this winter — and then finally hang up his tap shoes.
The dancer and choreographer told The Associated Press that he will bring his current show, “Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games,” to the Lyric Theatre and then retire as a performer.
“Last year, I decided my legs and my back had taken such a beating over the years. I said, ‘You know, it’s time.’ I have a beautiful wife and a lovely, beautiful 8-year-old, and I said, ‘I’ve got to spend more time with them.’ ”
The 57-year-old put together a list of professional dreams he wanted to accomplish before retiring, which included returning to Wembley Arena in London, playing the London Palladium and performing on Broadway.
“That’s the last dream,” he said. “My wife and my team asked, ‘Is there anything else we haven’t done in this career?’ I said, ‘I’ve never done Broadway, and I want to dance in the greatest place in the world.’ ”
Flatley will take the stage during a weeklong engagement that begins Nov. 7.
“My spinal column is in bad shape,” he said, also listing ailments to his knees, calf muscles, two ruptured Achilles tendons, a fractured right rib and foot fracture.
“It’s time. If this was a football match, I’d be in injury time now,” he said. “I’ve earned it and I’m proud of it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”