Riverdance: Live from New York City (Superbit Edition)

No longer a show as much as a cultural phenomenon, Riverdance tends to divide people into rabid fans and those unable to understand what all the fuss is about. The latter needn't bother with this DVD; the former will want to consider it, even if they already own the earlier 1997 issue, since the Superbit technology offers exceptionally crisp sound reproduction (even if the visuals are not nearly as up to snuff). The second version of the show, filmed at the cavernous Radio City Music Hall in 1996, Riverdance: Live from New York City retains the muscular hard-shoe dancing and stirring score, as well as the rather peculiar disembodied narration, and adds some solid solo singing, periodic instrumental interludes, and dance numbers in other styles (the most notable being a duel between some Irish dancers and African-American tap dancers). Michael Flatley has moved on, replaced by Colin Dunne, who doesn't express quite the same degree of virile arrogance. But in many ways he's a more elegant performer, and works well with his partner, the aristocratic Jean Butler. The only significant problem with the presentation is the editing, which is overly busy, and that's something the application of the Superbit technology can't correct. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)