The five Tony award
winner ‘Warhorse’ opened last week at SegerstromCenter for the arts in Costa Mesa California. Segestrom Hall shined its maximum
capacity with almost 3,000 souls that through two hours and a half, enjoyed the
ups and downs of this complex story situated in England during WWI. Albert,
sixteen, gets a foal thanks to his father Albert and his gambling. ‘Joey’ the
foal comes alive onstage; it is a puppet made out of mostly cane, soaked, bent
and stained. Three puppeteers bring it to life: one for the head, one for the
torso and one for the tail while making
breathing, neighing and puffing sounds… Simply fascinating. ‘Joey’ has a light cinnamon color. The puppeteers wear overalls and boots of the same color; even though they are seen all the time onstage, the handling is so fine, so
delicate, they camouflage with the
puppet.
trusting Albert and allows him to teach it different tricks. Months pass and
Joey is now a strong, young horse. Another great deed in the production where a transition
between the foal and the horse occurs. A 120 pound Joey bursts out onstage
handled by three other puppeteers that are connected to the aluminum spine
lined with leather so the horse can be ridden.
any remorse or telling Albert, sells Joey to the English army. Joey is sent to
the war to fight for England; on the way he meets ‘Tophorn’ a battle horse that
is not very welcoming. When Albert finds out, he enlists in the army lying
about his age so he can go to war and find Joey. Time passes, both horse and man
fight and fight without finding each other. Joey gets trapped in a barbed wire
between German and English fire. A momentary truce becomes present in order to
save the animal. But who gets to keep it once out of danger? A flip of a coin
will decide the horses destiny: Heads, the English get to keep him. Tails, the Germans do…
beloved novel of Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford. A
breathtaking production that captivates and moves the audience as the story
unfolds. The puppetry is handled with great ability and professionalism. Giving
this musical its great essence and meaning.
February 3rd at Segerstrom Hall.
Saturday 2:00pm and 7:30pm/Sunday 1:00pm and 6:30pm.
Active duty military personnel with current ID
can purchase specially priced $20 tickets at the center box office: (714)
556-2787.
Rush tickets may also be available, call the box
office on the performance day to find out.
There is an interactive exhibit of puppetry and
WWI memorabilia at the theatres second floor.
