Riverdance, the showcase of Irish dance and music that played sold-out engagements in Dublin and London in 1995 and in New York in March 1996 will return to the U.S. in October 1996, launching a U.S. tour at Radio City Music Hall in New York Oct. 2-20.

A corps of more than 80 performers will be leaping to music by Bill Whelan. An album of music from the show debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music chart in spring 1996.

Here are dates for most of the rest of the tour:

* Chicago: Rosemont Theatre, Oct. 24-Nov. 10.
* Los Angeles: Pantages Theatre, Nov. 15-Dec. 1.
* Boston: Wang Center, Jan. 10-26.

Dates for a planned further stop in Seattle have not yet been announced. Tickets for the New York show cost $76, $51, $46 and $36. For information or to order tickets at Radio City, call (212) 247-4777. Contact the individual theatres for tickets elsewhere.