LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - American dancer Michael Flatley, the creator of Irish folk dance shows Lord Of The Dance and Riverdance, will be hanging up his shoes after making his debut on Broadway this year, organisers of the show said on Monday.
Flatley, 57, will make special appearances on Broadway in Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games at New York's Lyric Theater, during a run from Nov 7 through Jan 3. He will then retire from dancing, producers said in a statement.
The show, which features holographs, dancing robots and acrobats accompanying Flatley's team of Irish dancers, will feature the veteran at the end of each evening's performance.
In interviews with the British press earlier this year, Flatley discussed the impact of dancing on his body, saying he has suffered broken bones and spine damage over the years.
Born in Chicago to Irish-American parents, he is credited with reinventing traditional Irish dance, incorporating upper body movements and contemporary rhythms into the step-dancing. Forbes estimated his wealth at US$299 million (S$424 million) this year. 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.
