(upbeat music)
- Hello everybody welcome to broadway.com's LiveatFive
as Paul says, in the heart of Manhattan.
- In the heart of Times Square.
- Oh Times Square,
gotta be specific. - That right.
Yes. - You can't tell,
but it is Wednesday, March 11, matinee day.
- It is. - And I'm Caitlin Moynihan.
- And I'm Ryan Lee Gilbert.
- And over there we got miss Lindsey Sullivan.
- Hello. - Well, well, well,
celebrity, I love it. - Look who it is.
- And who do we have here today?
- Guys, we have some "Riverdance" friends with us today.
We have Patrick O'Mahony
and Anna Mai Fitzpatrick - Yes!
- with us today.
- I love "Riverdance."
- I know you do.
Look at you wearing green and everything
in honor of such the event. - I wish said I didn't plan it
but I 100% did. - Absolutely.
Very exciting stuff. - Before we talk
to them though we're gonna do today's top news.
(upbeat music)
- Favorite people, one of my favorite people
is doing something amazing with two
of my other favorite people and I'm so excited
about it that that's as coherent as I'm gonna be for you.
- [Ryan] Yes, yes, the office is an emotional mess
finding out this news. - Honestly.
- [Ryan] So we are talking about Kelli O'Hara,
I'm assuming that's favorite person number one
from Lindsey over there. - Yes.
- She's going to be taking on the role of Mother
in the upcoming Actors Fund concert performance
of "Ragtime," - Just.
- yes, lots of crying.
Of course this performance is dedicated to the memory
of the late Marin Mazzie who we all adored and love.
She originated the role of Mother.
This will be happening at the Minskoff Theater
on April 27th.
Of course, as we've mentioned before,
it'll feature original cast members,
Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell
as well as Peter Friedman who will all
be reprising their performances from the musical.
I don't think I have to give you a debriefing
on who Kelli O'Hara is hopefully.
- No, no. - She won a Tony Award
of course for "The King and I."
She was recently nominated for "Kiss Me Kate,"
but which are both roles that Marrin Mazzie
has performed previously and since then.
Also rounding out the "Ragtime" concert's cast
will be original cast members Mark Jacoby, Steven Sutcliffe,
Lynette Perry, Judy Kaye, Jim Corti.
They have all been announced. - Whoa.
- We're all obviously very excited for this.
- Yes. - We all adore "Ragtime"
and Kelli is a vision. - Yes.
- So this is really exciting stuff, so April 27th.
- And this throwback film fav is getting
the musical theater treatment.
- This was exciting. - Extremely.
- [Caitlin] This is such a good movie.
So "Romy and Michele," - Mm-hmm.
- we all know the movie,
but "Romy and Michele" the musical
is holding developmental labs slash presentations
in New York City now.
It already had it's world premiere.
- Yes exactly, now they're just still tinkering.
- They had a little tinkering moment,
but there are gonna be some industry workshops
which means it's not open to the public,
it means they're trying to get that money,
they're trying to get producers and investors on board
to help make this happen and that's happening
on March 18th here in New York City.
Cortney Wolfson and Stephanie Renee Wall
who star as Romy, Romy? - Romy.
- Romy. - "Romy and Michelle."
- Thank you.
"Romy and Michelle" join the show's 2017 world premiere
at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater.
Name the musical that just had its world premiere there
that is now on Broadway.
- Um, I cannot. - "Mrs. Doubtfire."
- Oh thank you. - There you go.
- There you go, well done. - Pop quiz.
- Look at that. - I'm Andy now,
he does that all the time. - Yeah, look at that.
- But that happened in 2017 so three years later
- Here we go. - it's still churning.
- So. - Musicals take
a long time you guys.
There's already producer Stefan Soucy confirms
that they're trying to make things happen,
they wanna have an Off-Broadway run with aims
to come to Broadway.
So that's the goal.
- Broadway-aimed. - Broadway-aimed has
a book by Robin Schiff and a score
by Brandon Jay and Gwnedolyn Sanford
and of course is based on the 1997 film.
So this workshop staging will have a bunch of new songs,
a series of book rewrites, and an all female band.
- There we go. - Heck yeah.
- That's what we like to hear.
- So hopefully they'll have - Yes.
- some updates, that's so fun. - Exciting stuff.
We'll keep you posted.
- Expecto Patronum and expect great things from Canada.
- [Ryan] That's right.
We got the first round of casting for the Canada debut
of the Tony winning play,
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."
This will begin performances later this year, October 23rd
at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theater.
The company will be led by Trevor White as Harry Potter,
Trish Lindström as Ginny Potter, Luke Kimball as Albus,
Gregory Prest is Ron Weasley,
Sarah Afful as Hermione Granger,
and Thomas Mitchell Barnet as Scorpius Malfoy.
- Yes. - Additional casting
because there are more roles there
will be announced at a later date,
but people are very excited to see
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" in Canada
and you should be because it's amazing.
- What is that thing Canadian's say, oy?
No. - No, I mean
I don't know - What do they say?
- I'm not from Canada.
- Ay, oh they say "Ay."
- Oh my gosh.
Yes, so yes.
Great Canada impression. - Harry Potter ay.
- And I love Kristen Bell but if this "Gossip Girl" reboot
needs a voice over actress, hello.
- Oh gosh. - Wow.
- We are losing it on this Wednesday, but yes,
wait, I'm supposed to talk about this right?
- Yeah. - I totally just lost that.
So this is super exciting.
So "Gossip Girl." - "Gossip Girl."
- It's coming back. - It's being rebooted.
- It's coming back and it's gonna
be HBO's streaming service, HBO Max.
And we got a whole lotta Broadway.
- Yeah, scooping them up. - Stars are there.
So Adam Chanler-Berat, Berat, - Berat yep.
- Berat? - Berat.
- Berat, nailed it.
And Tavi Gavinson who are both going to be
in Classic Stage Company's "Assassins"
which is sold out and has been extended many a times.
- Yes, that's coming up. - Both of them are in it
and now they are both gonna appear
in the new "Gossip Girl" reboot which is super exciting
and they're joining the fellow stage Jason Gotay.
- Jason Gotay. - Who is gonna
be appearing off Broadway in "In Between the Lines."
So let me tell you these guys - They're taking them all.
- they are booked and busy and now they're heading to TV
which is fine as long as they come back to Broadway.
- Absolutely.
- So excited for that.
So there are some goodies
in this new season announcement you guys.
- [Ryan] Yes, we got season announcement
for Off-Broadway's Primary Stages.
We have the initial lineup.
Three productions have been announced for the 2021 season.
Included in the slate of shows
is Clarence Coo's world premiere drama
"On That Day in Amsterdam" which was scheduled
but then postponed so now it will be closing out the season.
- Happening. - Yeah, so that will
be happening in March and April of next year.
But before that they've also it's really exciting,
Primary Stages is moving back to the 59E59 Theater
after spending some years at the Cherry Lane Theater,
going back to the original home.
Launching the new season will be "Peerless" happening
in September to October of this year.
It is a dark comedy ran by Jiehae Park
and directed by Margot Bordelon.
Also Karen Hartman has written
a new drama called "Roz and Ray"
that will play in November and December of this year
and that centers on a single father
and his hemophiliac sons.
So always exciting - Drama.
- for a new Primary Stages season.
So really excited for that.
- Yeah. - There are some
other great things that you can
check out on the site - So many great things.
- right now.
There's a new "Show People with Paul Wontorek,"
he talks to Marc Kudisch who I just saw last night
in "Girl from the North Country," he's amazing as always.
- Love "Girl," love it.
- There is great back story feature on "Company."
- Yes. - So "Company" is back
on Broadway.
You've heard all about it.
The sort of gender mixed up. - Trina Lake ya'll.
- Yes, version of "Company" so you can hear about,
read all about the history of that show.
We had our first look at "Hangman" which is coming up.
- I am so excited for this show.
- Me too, me too, that's gonna be a good one.
- Yes it is. - So you can find out.
Also we have photos 'cause it was the very first battle
of the new stars of "Mean Girls"
- Yeah. - including Sabrina Carpenter
and all those new people.
- [Both] And Chad Burris.
- Who we got to talk to a couple a days ago.
And also photos of opening night
of Off-Broadway's "72 Miles to Go."
- Amazing. - You can check out
all of that stuff very soon.
- Not yet. - But not yet, no,
because we have some wonderful guests coming.
- We do have some wonderful guests
so Ryan I'm gonna bid you adieu,
go wash your hands. - I'm going to,
thank you so much.
- Lindsey, could you please tell us about today's guests.
- Yes, I would be honored.
Joining Lindsey Sullivan and Caitlin Moynihan
in the studio are Patrick O'Mahony and Anna Mai Fitzpatrick.
They're here to talk about the 25th anniversary concert
of "Riverdance" which is playing a week long run
at Radio City Music Hall.
Both Patrick and Anna Mai are lead dancers
in the company and have too many international
and national titles to name.
I can't even say the sentence
'cause they have so many titles 'cause they're amazing.
Follow Patrick @MrPatrickMahony and Anna Mai @AnnaMaiFitz.
Please leave all your questions in the comments below
and please welcome Anna Mai, Patrick, and Caitlin.
- [Caitlin] You guys (clapping).
- Hello. - Nice color scheme.
We are the Irish flag.
- Literally.
We didn't plan it, but I really just love
that this happened, we're all on the same wavelength.
You guys, okay, I love "Riverdance" so much.
This is really crazy.
"Riverdance" 25th anniversary, Radio City.
- I know. - What the what
is happening right now?
You guys had opening night last night, right?
- Yeah. - Take me there.
What happened yesterday?
What was going through your mind
as you guys were performing?
Take me there.
- Well when we all stepped on stage
for the first time it was very overwhelming.
I think there was a couple of tears,
but last night was just like I'm speechless about it.
It was absolutely a dream come true.
I think the whole troupe felt like that
and embraced the audience and just soaked up all
of the performance. - Yeah, and then
at the end of the show we had our director
and we had Bill Wieland the musical composer,
and then we also had Jean Butler,
the original female leads.
So they all came on stage and had a speech
and everyone was crying and we all got off stage
after the performance and we were all
just holding each other and it was amazing.
It really was and there was such an atmosphere in there
and it's so big.
- It's so big. - It's so big.
- I would say because you guys both have been
with the company for a really long time, since 2017
and 2012 for you.
So you guys have performed everywhere at this point,
but what does it mean,
'cause Radio City is kind of like,
she's a big deal.
- Yeah.
- What was that like?
How long did you guys know you were gonna be performing
at Radio City?
When did you find out that that was gonna happen
or was Radio City an iconic thing for you guys?
- We kinda heard about that 25th anniversary tour happening,
kinda heard in the grapevine
that Radio City might be happening.
So we were all hoping that the tour would happen
and that Radio City would happen
and then we were sent out the schedule
and we saw Radio City and we were like, no way!
- And a week-long performance. - And a week-long, yeah.
- It was amazing.
- When you guys go on tour,
how long are your usual stays at a place?
Is is usually one night onlys or weekends?
- It depends.
- This tour we started the fifth of January
and we've had two weeks of maybe two or three cities a week,
everything else has been one city a week.
- Wow. - Which is nice.
You get to unpack your case for a little bit.
Hang up some clothes.
- So have you guys performed in New York before yes?
- Not like New York, New York.
- New York, not the city. - No not the city,
but yeah we've done the state before.
- Wow. - I never have.
- You never have either?
So was this your first time in New York City?
Or have you guys been before you're just like hang out?
- No, we've been here. - Yeah, just on holiday.
- So how does it feel now coming back and knowing,
"What are you doing today?
"I'm just gonna be performing at Radio City,
"have you heard of it?
"It's a new venue."
What was that like for you? - Walking up to work.
- Yeah, walking up, what goes through your mind?
How are you guys emotionally dealing with this?
- I think I'm just taking it a day at a time.
I'm trying not to be on my phone
and actually experience it and take it all in
because it's something I'm gonna remember for the rest
of my life and I just wanna be fully here in the moment.
- I always think down the line in say 20 years,
30 years from now, and we all have kids
and hopefully grandkids and whatever,
and be able to tell them,
"Oh your grandad performed in Radio City"
or your grandma, you know.
- That's so cute. - It's so special.
- That's so special and both of you guys
are lead dancers in the company correct?
- Yeah.
- So can you take me through the steps that it takes
to become, obviously you have to be an incredible dancer,
but do you join the company as an ensemble member
and then work your way up and audition?
Can you guys break that process down a little bit?
- I think it's different for each person.
When I joined I was troupe member for two years
and then only I got trained in just a few weeks
before we came on tour.
- Exciting. - So, yeah, it's all very new
to me and I'm still getting used to the role
but that's been my journey.
- I was with the company so I joined 2012
and then I started lead in 2017.
- Wow, wow.
So you been doing it for a minute.
We know, we know.
We got professionals here you guys,
don't you worry about it.
And both of you guys started dancing at a very young age.
I think both of your were four?
- Yeah, I was four. - Was it always like
you knew this type of Irish step was what you wanted to do
or did you dabble in other dancing
before you were like,
"Nope, I wanna do (hands tapping) that."
I don't know what to call it.
- In Ireland it's kind of like a thing that you do.
You go to school and then there's an hour
where a dance teacher comes in and takes all the kids
and you do your little bit of Irish dancing.
But then if you have a knack for it
then you'll be brought to a private tutor
and that's like your after school thing that you do then.
- Oh okay cool. - Yeah.
- So we kinda took it a little bit extreme.
- You just really went for it you guys.
- We really went for it.
- Did you ever do any other type of dance
or was it gung-ho, this is it?
- I did ballet for six years and kind of was one
of those kids that did a bit of everything like gymnastics
and whatever. - I wasn't allowed.
- Really? - Really?
- No, no football, no nothing for me,
it was just dance, that was it.
- Eventually my mom was like,
you have to pick one and commit.
- So throughout school when you guys both in Ireland
for most of your schooling?
You moved here to Virginia at one point right?
- I was performing in Busch Gardens.
- I love Busch Gardens, this was so exciting
when I read that.
I love Busch Gardens.
- So I moved there in 2004. - Okay, cool.
- And did six or seven seasons there
- That's awesome. - with another dance company.
- That's so cool.
For me "Riverdance," I have such vivid memories
of putting in the VHS and watching it
and if we rented a fancy car for a vacation
that had the TVs,
that's my very vivid memory
of "Riverdance." - Very posture with you.
- No, I just remember my parents being like,
"This is never happening again so don't get used to it."
And we're like, "Riverdance!"
So when did "Riverdance" the company
first kinda get onto your guys' radars?
- So obviously '94 the "Eurovision" happened.
I remember being in bed at why grandma's house
and outta school the following day or something
and she called me, she's like "Pat,"
she used to call me Pat,
she'd be like "Pat, get up here quick."
'Cause we had no clue that this has happening you know?
And I just sat there and I was like oh my God
this is amazing.
So from when I started to dance and to '94, eight years,
we didn't know that you could turn Irish dance
into a profession. - Yeah.
- So then I could see '95 they brought out
the touring company and I was like
oh I can actually leave school now
and do something that I actually love.
So it kinda drove me to become a better dancer
and try and get into the show.
- That's awesome.
Was "Riverdance" your I gotta do this?
- Yeah. - And now you're here.
- Yeah. - And you're playing
Radio City. - And I'm dance
for Radio City.
It's crazy.
- That is a full circle if I have ever heard it.
I'm tearing up, oh my gosh. - I got goosebumps.
- That's really crazy.
Anna Mai when did you first, "Riverdance" hit your radar?
- So my mom saw the Eurovision and I wasn't born yet
and then she was blown away by it.
She didn't know what she had just witnessed,
but she had goosebumps when she watched it
and then she took me to go see the show
when I was probably about six or seven
and at the time I was already Irish dancing,
but I just fell in love.
I didn't even know what I was watching at that time,
but I kind of grew up then around knowing
that "Riverdance" was something I really wanted to do.
It was the dream so yeah, I've come full circle as well.
- That is really crazy 'cause I feel like "Riverdance"
as the company and as the show itself kind of has elevated
this type of dancing.
I think "Riverdance" itself is international,
like people call the style of dance,
- Riverdancing, yeah. - Riverdance.
So especially for you Patrick
'cause you were dancing pre-"Riverdance"
so what was it like for you
to see that shift in recognition?
- So "Riverdance" kind of made Irish dancing cool
'cause when I was dancing - Yeah.
- obviously it was like only girls did it.
- Really? - And I got bullied at school
and got a lot of bullying
because of being a dancer and stuff
so then "Riverdance" came out and--
- With strong guys and silk shirts, come on.
- And when I was dancing as well in competition
we wore kilts and we had jackets and stuff
so there was never like oh, he wore trousers and a shirt.
- Wow. - So then Flatley
came out in a trousers and a shirt that night
and it changed the competitive side of it as well.
- Wow. - So then all the kilts
were gone and everyone started wearing trousers and shirts.
"Riverdance" made Irish dancing cool
and kinda stopped the bullying.
- Now you're like, look. (people laughing)
Look at how my legs can go, that's crazy.
So what are you guys doing.
Do you have any downtime in the city?
Do you have any things you have
to see while you're in New York?
- Oh God everything.
I was just in ground zero there.
I friend of mine came over to see me for the week
so myself and Mary went down to ground zero.
We're gonna do Brooklyn Bridge tomorrow.
- Yes. - Oh Brooklyn Bridge
is so pretty, you're gonna love it.
- I've got all day off on Monday as well.
- Oh good, so a lot of exploring?
Are you gonna be so tired that you're like
I just need a minute. - Oh no.
- Power through,
power through. - We get home early.
- Amazing.
I'm gonna open up, Lindsey, do we have any questions
from the people that are watching?
- Absolutely, the people are so interested.
Anna, because you guys have been everywhere,
Anna wants to know for Anna, both of you,
"What is your favorite place
"that you guys have been and why?"
- Good question. - Nice one.
I know what it is. - Probably the same one,
I'm gonna say Shanghai, China.
- I'm gonna say Tokyo.
- [Caitlin] How long were you guys there for?
- Tokyo for a week. - I think we were
in Shanghai for maybe like five days.
- I know that "Riverdance" is such an international thing,
but you kind of put it like that,
you guys get to represent Ireland in this very specific type
of dancing literally all over the country.
Is it different at home in Ireland?
You be like, "Oh yeah, I'm in the 'Riverdance.'"
Does it get you some street cred?
(people laughing) I feel like I'd use it all the time.
Be like, "Well, I'm in 'Riverdance.'"
Sorry. Do you guys ever pull that out or no?
- Sometimes. (people laughing)
- Good, I'm glad you do.
- Only to skip the line or something.
- I can show you the riverdance.
- I have a show to do. - Can I cut please.
That's amazing.
What else Linds?
- So Nicole who's a dancer wants to know,
she's a dancer, I don't believe a riverdancer,
how does the wellness routine of a riverdancer differentiate
from that of a dancer?
What is your, as briefly as you can explain,
your day-to-day life?
Making sure you're fit?
- We always say that the work never stops
because it's a full-time job looking after your body.
You're always feeling crackly.
We take ice baths, we recover well.
It's all about maintenance I think is the main thing.
- We're both personal trainers as well.
- [Caitlin] What?
Casual.
I know what you do, sorry.
- So we've learned a lot about the body
and how the body works and the proper foods
to take and proper supplements that we take.
Get that vitamin C into you and your fish oils.
- Rest. - Rest, sleep is so important.
- So important. - How many hours a night
do you guys sleep? - Well the last few days.
(people laughing)
- Well, three, no.
- Usually I'm good on six to eight hours.
- Yeah. - That's the recommended
amount. - I usually,
my eyes open on six hours and I'll try and stay in bed
for the eight hours.
- Do you have a crazy morning routine?
Are you guys people who wake up at five a.m.?
- No. - Okay.
- No. - I'm a night owl.
- Okay, I was saying you guys be like
"Yeah I wake up at 4:30,
"start stretching." - If I had a nine to five.
- Because we work so late.
- How long are your shows?
- Well it's a two-hour show. - Two hours.
- If it's a half seven show then with finish at half nine,
20 to 10, so by the time you wind down
and go to sleep, it's late.
- And I feel like you're just bugging.
Your body's like we just did that.
- Last night we were like this in the bed.
- It's so hard to just settle down.
That is such a high.
You just come off and you don't wanna go to bed.
Just wanna keep going.
- Amazing, Lindsey could we do one more question?
- This is a really good one.
So I think it's resonating with our audience
what you said about getting bullied for wanting
to be a dancer.
What is your advice to people,
and not in just that space,
but you guys are in such an amazing space right now
doing your favorite thing in New York City.
What is your advice to, I guess Jarett wants to know,
young people who have obstacles in the way of their dreams
or people saying, "You can't do that."
Or, "You shouldn't want to do that."
- Great question. - Don't listen to anyone,
you do what you wanna do.
And you power through and I know as hard as
it is to hear all these words being said to you,
speak to somebody first of all,
speak to your mom, speak to a teacher, whatever,
don't be afraid to open up about what's happening,
but I went through it and I got to the other side of it
and look where I am now.
And the path is there for anyone to take it.
Just do it. - Yes.
- Forget about what's going on around you.
- That's amazing.
And do you guys ever hear from obviously there's a lot
of dancers as riverdancers.
Is that what you guys call yourselves, riverdancers?
- No. - No, kinda like,
mm, no, no we don't.
- Just performers I suppose.
- Yeah. - Wow, you guys are much
more humble than I would be if I was in "Riverdance,"
let me tell you that.
How does it feel to know that people look up to you guys
and such that way and you guys can kinda help grow up
the next generation of riverdancers?
- It's very surreal because we were both once
that young person that looked up to somebody else.
So someone else has paved the path for us to follow.
So, just think about it like you just keep working hard
and you're just passionate about it
and stay true to who you are.
It's all gonna pay off in the end.
- Amazing.
Well thank you guys so much for coming.
- Thank you for having us.
- I could talk to you guys for hours,
this is so much fun.
- Let's stay here for a little bit.
- Yeah, you guys don't have a show tonight.
You guys if you're in New York City
or if you're in the surrounding area,
please get your butts to Radio City Music Hall
to come see these guys.
One week only, the actual "Riverdance"
for the 25th anniversary tour right?
- Yeah. - Of "Riverdance."
You guys do not wanna miss this.
Go check them out.
I promise you won't regret it.
Thank you guys so much for coming.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Lindsey could you take us out?
- I'd be thrilled.
Thank you so much guys for tuning in.
We are LiveatFive every single weekday
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Tune in tomorrow when we talk to Kevin Csolak
from "West Side Story."
(upbeat music) - Yeah!