Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley (born 16 July 1958) is an Irish American step dancer, writer, flautist, choreographer and occasional television presenter who became internationally known through his theatre musicals, Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. He shot to fame during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest 1994.
Personal life
In 1986, Flatley wed Polish make-up artist Beata Dziaba, but the two divorced 11 years later. In 2002, he became engaged to his long-time girlfriend Lisa Murphy, but they eventually broke up.
In April 2006, Flatley spoke about his recent discovery of a facial skin cancer.[9] He had kept the cancer scare a closely guarded secret, but said, "Im completely fine now, thank God."
At the 10th Anniversary of Lord of the Dance in June 2006, Michael Flatley was accompanied by dancer Niamh OBrien, who dances with him in Celtic Tiger. The 30-something OBrien had danced with Flatley in Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames before they shared the stage in Celtic Tiger. The two shortly thereafter announced that they were dating, and were married in "a low-key Catholic ceremony" in Fermoy, Co. Cork, on October 14, 2006.
On November 15, 2006, Flatleys publicist reported that he had been admitted to a hospital. According to media reports, he was suffering from a serious viral infection. All his up-and-coming shows for Celtic Tiger were cancelled. He left the hospital three weeks later.
Michael and Niamh became parents to their first child, a son, Michael St. James Flatley, on Thursday 26 April 2007.
Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role. The music for the show was written by Ronan Hardiman.
Since it opened, Lord of the Dance has played to more than 60 million people in more than 60 countries across the world.