Michael Flatley to retire after Broadway debut

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: unsafe Games has a new West End home and can be seen at the Playhouse Theatre from 10th October 2015 until 3rd January 2016, following a highly successful six-month limited season at the Dominion Theatre, which finished in September.

The Irish-American tells The Associated Press, “Last year, I decided my legs and my back had taken such a beating over the years”.

“Lord of the Dance“, which premiered in 1996, broke the box office record after performing 21 consecutive shows at London’s Wembley Arena, a record yet to be broken.

He says, “That’s the last dream”.

Flatley will take the stage during a limited eight-week engagement that begins November 7 and will play through January 3.

Houston will be the lifetime achievement honoree at Saturday’s event.

Flatley himself will appear-and make his Broadway debut-in the production in what will serve as his swan song as a performer.

Flatley is the creator and choreographer of the original Riverdance and the Lord of the Dance franchise. He went on to create “Lord of the Dance“, which debuted at the Point Theatre in Dublin in 1996. Forbes estimated his wealth at $299 million this year.

The score is composed by Gerard Fahy. His internationally-recognizable brand “Lord of the Dance” single-handedly brought Irish Dance to a global audience with productions in countless countries around the world for over two decades.

Flatley first stepped onto the world stage when he toured with The Chieftains. If this was a football match, I’d be in injury time now. “It was my dream to be a professional dancer, to lead these wonderful young dancers, and it’s a dream come true every day”. “I am delighted for my dancers that they can continue to perform in this great city”.