My name is Cindy, and I had the pleasure of seeing The Lord of The Dance, on Saturday, June 7th 1997. My first attempt in March, to get tickets, was a maddening trial to say the least!! Disappointed with 2nd level seats at the back of the arena, I was very pleased when a matinee show was added and I was able to get 5th row seats!! Now this was going to be good! The 2 ½ month wait, was the tough part! I began reading the VB every day, and it turned out to be a fun and informative way for me to wait out the day until I would be the one to experience this live. It was on the visitor book that I read Karen’s, among others, posts of their experience meeting Michael Flatley, as well as some of the other dancers. This was all sounding like a lot of fun! I would like to thank all of the people who, through their posting on the VB, have inspired me to pursue this adventure.

On June 5th the Troupe arrived in Portland, and the reviews of the show were great!! (like I thought they would be anything but!) I watched an interview with Michael Flatley on our local program AM Northwest, on June 6th . He looked great and said he felt like a kid, that he danced well last night, and he would dance even better tonight!! I was so excited, just one more day until I would get to see the show! Well Saturday came and me 5th row seats turned out to be just left of center stage! I was ecstatic!! The show ended far to quickly, (with just one encore for the matinee performance),and was thrilling beyond words to describe!!! I was so happy to know that I was coming back to see the evening performance!. Saturday night, yet another sensational performance. During intermission, I asked one of the arena personnel if she knew where/if they would be signing autographs. She told me that they left so quickly, that I would be lucky if I got a glimpse of them going from the stage door to their buses. Next question : where was the stage door? She told me where! (thank - you! She was more help than she knew!)

The show ended after 3 encores, with the fans clapping and on their feet, but who wanted to leave?! We (my husband and son were with me) headed out to the car to get our camera and program book to be autographed. Arriving at the back stage area, we met two women with their children who had gotten autographs from the violinists and Helen Eagan. A cranky and sarcastic security guard assured us repeatedly that we were wasting our time, that Michael Flatley would just get in his limo, and drive right by us. More people showed up, and undaunted, we began our wait. Someone official,( I don’t remember what his title was, just that he had an accent and was dressed nicely ) told us that Michael was very tired, was getting a massage, but he couldn’t say for certain if he would come out to meet us.

In the meantime, we all got to know one another, chatted about the show, and watched them pack away the entire stage - what a job!! Finally, we saw Michael get into the limo, which was backed far up way from the crowd. We began to clap and cheer, hoping to catch a glimpse through the window, when much to our delight, the limo stopped right in front of us, and Michael got out to greet us!! I was so thrilled, I was actually going to get to meet him, and thank him personally!!

I have to say how impressed I was at how gracious and calm Michael is. Taking the time to focus on the person he was with, undisturbed by the commotion around him. He was soft spoken and looked directly at who he was listening to or speaking to.

Michael with Cindy's son, Brandon. GREAT pose!

He greeted my son with a warm "How you do’in buddy?!" and a firm handshake. After we had our book signed and had shaken hands, my husband asked if I wanted to get my picture taken with him. I was so busy taking pictures I hadn’t even thought about it!! I moved quickly to the end of the line and asked if I could get one more picture. He said, "Sure!" I told him I had waited 2 ½ months to see this show, and it was worth every minute! He said, "Oh, aren’t you sweet!" and took my hand and gave me a peck on the cheek!

When I returned to my husband, he asked, "What did you say to him?!!" It was a great moment that our family will remember always. Before he got back into the limo, he asked if everyone got what they wanted! In all we waited 2 ½ hrs, and I would do it again! Just being in his presence had a profound effect on us all!!

Critics, say what you will, but here’s a serious artist and dedicated performer who knows how to make his fans happy!!! The show is brilliant, the cast is wonderful and everyone I talked to loved the show and would go again.
 
 

 

Cindy to thank her for sharing her Moment.
to the Inn Keeper, esp if you have a "MM" to add.
to the History Room.
to the Great Hall.