Thirty years ago last spring, a seven-minute interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin stopped a television audience cold — not with a pop song, but with the sound of Irish heels hitting a wooden stage in synchronized thunder. That moment, on April 30, 1994, was the debut of Riverdance, and when the lights came back up, composer Bill Whelan, producer Moya Doherty, and director John McColgan had created something the world didn’t know it was waiting for. The production — now celebrating its anniversary as Riverdance 30: The New Generation — arrives at the Majestic Theatre San Antonio on Wednesday, June 17, at 7:30 PM.
About Riverdance
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation carries a distinction that sets it apart from every prior edition of the show: every performer in the current company was born after the original 1994 Eurovision premiere, making this the first cast in the production’s history to have no living memory of the beginning. They grew up with Riverdance as a given — a cultural fact — and now they carry it forward.
Bill Whelan’s Grammy award-winning score anchors the evening, blending traditional Irish folk music with contemporary arrangements played by a live band. The two-act structure moves from Act I, “A Primitive & Powerful World,” drawn from ancient mythology and elemental forces, into Act II, “We Learned to Belong to the World,” which traces the Irish diaspora and migration across continents. The production’s most discussed sequence, “Trading Taps,” pairs Irish dancers with American tap artists in a percussive exchange that critics have singled out for its energy and precision. Director McColgan has described this cast as a generation bringing “electrifying energy, passion and skill in their traditions and their music and dance.” Runtime is two hours including one intermission; the show is suitable for all ages and contains theatrical haze, fog, and strobe lighting effects.
The Majestic Theatre San Antonio
The Majestic Theatre at 224 E. Houston Street holds 2,264 seats and ranks among the finest surviving atmospheric theaters in Texas. This engagement is part of the 2025–2026 Broadway in San Antonio season; the run spans three nights — June 16, 17, and 18. Doors open approximately one hour before the 7:30 PM curtain. Accessible facilities include step-free access, wheelchair accommodations, accessible restrooms, and services for D/deaf and hard of hearing patrons. For more San Antonio concerts and events, browse our regional calendar.
Tickets
Tickets for Riverdance on Wednesday, June 17 at the Majestic Theatre San Antonio are on sale now. Three performances run June 16–18 — select your date carefully when purchasing.