I won't keep you in suspense.  The surprise was that David Kavanagh, Executive Producer, was there and started the evening by thanking the cast and crew for all of their hard work.  Then he brought out another David: David Downes!  I've never seen him in person before and it was nice to see a familiar face in person.  He talked for a little while about Celtic Woman and then he introduced the High Kings, who performed 3 numbers.  I'm not Irish and I only recognized the songs at all because I've heard their CD so many times as pre-concert background music.  The audience, however, seemed to know them all and went crazy.  They're not exactly my cup of tea, but if that reaction is any indication then David has another hit on his hands.  I also had a close encounter with David at intermission.  He was apparently hanging out with the guys at the mixing board and at intermission he came down the aisle and passed me on his way backstage.  I was surprised at how [insert male equivalent of petite here] he is.  I was hoping he would play the piano for at least one song, but alas he did not.  Still, it was a real treat to see him.

Now onto the concert.  First I have to comment on Radio City Music Hall; New Yorkers prepare yourselves.  Quite honestly, I wasn't overly impressed.  I'll admit it's big, but architecturally I'd have to say I was much more impressed with the Providence Performing Arts Center.  Had I not seen PPAC first, my opinion would probably be different.  Radio City is certainly grand but PPAC is stunning.  Please don't kill me in New York tomorrow (actually today.)

The concert was the best yet.  With the stage being bigger they spread out the set a little.  If you picture the normal layout as the letter "V" with the point at the back center, they basically spread the "V" a little wider so the instrumentalists on both sides were farther apart.

With about 50% more square footage available, Máiréad went crazy.  She was here, she was there, she was everywhere.  Her little yelps that she normally does turned into full-fledged screams!  I've never seen her quite like this; the big stage really suits her.

The audience loved Lynn's Danny Boy and after Over the Rainbow there was chorus of "Wow" all around me.  The sound, by the way, was amazing.  I think it's one of the best I've heard.  Sometimes the very deep bass on certain songs can be a little overpowering, but tonight it was just right.

A fabulous night.

Original review is here.