Expectations are high for 'Lord of the Dance'

Marie Duffy has been a part of "Lord of the Dance" since its inception in 1996.

She started as creator and producer Michael Flatley's associate choreographer, and now she is the main choreographer and director, since Flatley is involved in other projects — most recently hosting NBC's "Superstars of Dance." (He still maintains his producer role with "Lord of the Dance."

To fulfill her role as director, Duffy says she relies on her high expectations for herself and the show.

"The production has been going on for more than 12 years," she said during a phone call from her home in England. "And the challenge for me is to keep us alive and buzzing.

"We need to keep the audience entertained and still feel that boost to come and see the show time and time again."

To do this, Duffy said she puts a lot of pressure on the dancers.

"That means I expect them (dancers) to maintain the highest quality of dancing," she said.

"Dancers' techniques are always changing, and we do adjust the choreography and update the show from time to time, but the story and quality of the dance numbers remain the same.

"It is my duty to find the dancers who will best fit the roles and the dancing. And I can tell, after doing this for so long, who has potential to become part of the production. And I work with every dancer who is part of the 'Lord of the Dance.' "

Duffy said Flatley has given her full reign in choosing the dancers and changing the choreography.

"Michael and I have worked together for so long that he trusts me to do what is best for the production," she said.

"However, we do talk quite often. We meet quite often and discuss what can be improved and what needs to be updated and adjusted. So he's still very much a part of the show."

One of the newer dancers to take on the title role is Californian Jason Gorman.

He has been dancing in "Lord of the Dance" for the past 7½ years. Out of those, he has been dancing the lead for the past four years. He explicitly remembers what he felt when he was given the role that was made famous by international dance superstar and "Lord of the Dance" creator Michael Flatley.