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The gargantuan, white big top in Redmond, WA’s Marymoor Park opens on February 19, 2014 for Cavalia’s newest production Odysseo. The largest touring tent in the world—125 feet tall, covering 106,700 square feet, including a 17,500 square foot stage—will be home to 66 horses of 11 breeds and 52 artists (riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, and musicians) for 25 currently-scheduled performances, concluding March 16. The company’s first production, Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse opened in 2003 and continued to thrill audiences worldwide for the next 10 years. Blogcritics covered that show in 2012 and will return for Odysseo’s Redmond premiere—stay tuned for the full report.
A team of no less than 80 workers have labored tirelessly to erect a total of five tents in Marymoor Park. That includes a 1,600 square foot stable tent for the show’s equine stars (who have been living it up for two weeks in Auburn, WA, enjoying some well-earned R&R in between tour stops). Cavalia’s previous production was nothing show of stunning and Odysseo promises even more amazement. The show is a multimedia extravaganza—a one-of-a-kind combination of equestrian arts, stage arts, live music, and high-tech theatrical effects.
One of the hottest tickets in any city it’s playing in (Odysseo has been touring North America since its 2011 premiere in Lavel, Quebec), each performance can accommodate 2,000 spectators. Over 800,000 people have taken in one of Odysseo’s 400-plus shows (and counting). The stage, larger than an NHL hockey rink, is comprised of 10,000 tons of stones, dirt, and sand. In a unique marriage of nature and technology, that rustic performance area is complemented by a high-definition backdrop equaling the size of three IMAX screens.
Tickets are currently on-sale for Odysseo’s Seattle-area run. VIP packages that include refreshment, premium seating, and a stable tour are available. Matinee shows run on weekends. Visit the official Cavalia website for more information.
Images: Cavalia, Inc.
That’s a spectacular trailer which is well coordinated given the complexity of the calisthenics involved.