Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance

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Cast Members Scott Doherty, Michael McHugh Crowned World Champions at the 2009 World Irish Dance Championships

(Mississauga, Ontario) – Lord of the Dance http://www.lordofthedance.com has announced its next line-up of tour dates including Mississauga, Ontario on Saturday, April 18, 2010. Lord of the Dance, produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Tix Corporation (Nasdaq: TIX), and touring the country regularly since 1996, will perform two shows at the Living Arts Centre on Saturday, April 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Tickets range from $60 and up and are available at The Living Arts Centre Box Office, by calling 905-306-6000 or 1-800-805-8888 or online at www.livingartscentre.ca. Recently, cast members Scott Doherty and Michael McHugh (McHugh for the category of dancers under age 18) were crowned world champions at the World Irish Dance Championships.

Doherty and McHugh beat out more than 6000 dancers representing five continents over the eight-day competition. In 2009, the championships took place in Philadelphia, PA, the first time the competitions were hosted outside of Ireland and Scotland in its 39-year history. Flatley, who was in attendance, received an award acknowledging his special achievements in Irish Dance such as producing and choreographing multiple Irish dance shows including Lord of the Dance.

“We are so happy for Scott and Michael. Their dedication to Irish dance and exceptional abilities are just some of the reasons they are part of the Lord of the Dance team,” says Flatley. He adds, “I was just ecstatic to see them both crowned as world champions and we are very fortunate to have them as part of our cast.” Doherty and McHugh are in a cast made up of Irish dance phenoms from around the globe. “Each one is a superstar.”

Flatley, Lord of the Dance’s creator and artistic director, was the first guest judge to appear on ABC’s hit reality television program “Dancing With The Stars.” In November 2007, he and cast members from Lord of the Dance performed on the show. The thrilled studio audience clapped throughout and gave a standing ovation as Flatley and his hypnotizing dancers completed the routine.

“That kind of reaction speaks directly to the quality of dancers who I have had the privilege to bring to the stage,” Flatley says. “They give of themselves in a way that is unique alone to Irish dancing, stretching a form of dance that has evolved over more than 2,000 years.” The dancers’ average age is 22, and each one has achieved individual recognition as a national or worldwide dance champion.

More than 100 million people worldwide have seen Lord of the Dance -- the international Irish dancing extravaganza that has performed sold out shows at theatres, arenas and stadiums in over 67 countries. “Our success demonstrates the hunger people have,” says Flatley, “to wholly submerge themselves into a world where dancers interpret every nuance of classic good versus evil through modern Celtic music.” Lord of the Dance has an ability to connect with the audience and initiate and captivate a new generation. Adding to the visceral and emotional impact are costumes, lighting and staging that are cinematic in scope. “Make no mistake,” adds Flatley, “Lord of the Dance begins where modern theatre ends.”

Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, is the company’s Artistic Director, a position he has held since the troupe’s stunning 1996 debut in Dublin. More than a decade later, his influence continues to resonate throughout every aspect of the production. Irish dance lovers and music fans alike will get a chance to experience the engaging, rhythmic adventure that has helped catapult Celtic dance mania and Irish dancing into the global spotlight. No wonder Lord of the Dance has jettisoned its ticket sales to more than $800 million worldwide. During its highly profitable four-year residency in Las Vegas, an estimated two million people danced along in their seats.

Lee Marshall, president of Magic Arts & Entertainment, the tour promoter and veteran of blockbuster entertainment events agrees. “The championship dancers in our cast manage the impossible every night. Their collective spirit and energy takes audiences to a time and place that is as imaginative as it is inviting.”

“Lord of the Dance is truly a worldwide phenomenon,” says Bob Cayne, co-promoter and president of Global Entertainment Group. “Fourteen years later, the US tour is still going strong with more than 75 performances in 2009 and scores more already scheduled for 2010.”

Flatley continues to oversee all aspects of the production. The first American to win the All-World Championship in Irish Dance, he was The Guinness Book of World Records holder for having "the world's fastest feet" at 35 taps per second.

Described by the New York Post as "fascinating, rewarding and above all, entertaining," and by the Los Angeles Times as "a showpiece extravaganza," Lord of the Dance is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance. The story is based upon mythical Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, Lord of Darkness, challenges the ethereal lord of light, the Lord of the Dance. Battle lines are drawn, passions ignite and a love story fueled by the dramatic leaps and turns of dancers’ bodies begins to build against a backdrop of Celtic rhythm. The action is played out over 21 scenes on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.

For more information, ticket sales or memorabilia, please visit www.lordofthedance.com

About Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Corporation
Magic Arts & Entertainment, headed by Lee Marshall and Joe Marsh, is one of the foremost tour producing companies in the United States. As former owners of Magicworks Entertainment, Marshall and Marsh produced and promoted some of the world's most successful concerts, theatricals and family shows. In addition to Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, the company is also currently producing the North American tours of “The 101 Dalmatians Musical,” “The Magic of David Copperfield,” “The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis,” “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles,” “Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley” and “Jim Brickman: Beautiful World.” In 2008, Magic Arts & Entertainment was acquired by the Tix Corporation (stock symbol TIXC), with Marshall and Marsh assuming the roles of Co-CEO of Tix Productions, a newly formed subsidiary of Tix Corporation. Magic Arts & Entertainment has offices in Cleveland, OH and Salt Lake City, UT.

About Global Entertainment Group
Based in Las Vegas, Global Entertainment Group, Inc. has been part of the extraordinary worldwide success of Lord of the Dance since 1998. Global has booked or promoted the show in more than 30 countries where the show has been embraced by a variety of cultures and individuals from all walks of life. In addition, Global is actively involved in many other international entertainment productions, exhibits and live entertainment investments.

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance Taps Its Way Into The Living Arts Centre for two shows