Miami, FL – March 2, 2012 – Wednesday night marked the opening of Cavalia’s most recent show, Odysseo. The reviews are in: Cavalia’s Odysseo is an experience that is unparalleled within the world of theater, and is an encounter the audience will never forget. Odysseo is the largest touring production in the world, constructed beneath a tent, The White Big Top, and seats over 2,000 people. It features a stage that is double the size of Cavalia’s original design. The production was constructed in Downtown Miami, FL, within Bicentennial Park.
Each seat in the house opening night was sold, with people waiting in line to see if they could snatch up tickets in the chance of an absence. Every seat offers an unobstructed view of the majesty that waits upon the stage, almost as if it is an IMAX production with a live performance unfolding before the audience’s eyes.
The title, “Odysseo”, means Odyssey, and the show depicts nothing less than its headline. It provided a journey throughout the most astounding landscapes from across the globe with 70 horses and 50 performers showcasing the impossible while journeying across desert terrains, valleys and mountains.
Although the acrobatics and tricks are beyond belief, it is the horses that steal the show. With an estimated 11 breeds of horses ranging from Appaloosas to Lusitanos, the cast of equines are beautiful as they create an equestrian ballet of epic proportions.
Cavalia’s creator Normand Latourelle, who co-founded Cirque du Soleil, explained, “This is almost a miracle, you can’t see this anywhere else. A lot of what I have seen with natural horsemanship is about rider and horse; we have a very different approach. The rider and the trainer spend so much time with their horse – it is a relationship. These trainers started two years ago, and it has been non-stop six days a week getting to know the horse and getting them to know them as well.”
The set faces the difficult task of moving around 10,000 tons of dirt, sand and material to create the overwhelming stage, and for the final scene 80,000 gallons of water fill the stage as the horse performs dressage beneath the glow of the night sky and the reflection of the lake, truly ending the performance with a swan song.
“The horse is the most beautiful animal on earth, and although the first show was about the evolution of humanity and horses, Odysseo is about the journey,” Latourelle concluded. “Horse and man have been together, side-by-side, for the last 5,000 years. It was the inspiration I found within the horse that provided the inspiration for this journey, showing the most amazing things nature can offer us. It was the next step after Cavalia, and the happiness this show brings the crowd is my reward.”
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Cavalia Inc. operates two separate touring shows, Cavalia and Odysseo, both of which marry the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. Cavalia, seen by some 3.5 million people across North America and Europe since its 2003 debut, celebrates the relationship between humans and horses by loosely recounting the evolution of this bond. Odysseo, which premiered in autumn 2011, takes the next step, leading viewers on a journey through some of the breathtaking landscapes horses have helped humans discover around the globe. Follow Cavalia Inc.’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia.
Odysseo Fast Facts:
Who: Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Cavalia Inc. operates two separate touring shows, Cavalia and Odysseo, both of which marry the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. Cavalia, seen by some 3.5 million people across North America and Europe since its 2003 debut, celebrates the relationship between humans and horses by loosely recounting the evolution of this bond. Odysseo, which premiered in autumn 2011, takes the next step, leading viewers on a journey through some of the breathtaking landscapes horses have helped humans discover around the globe. Follow Cavalia Inc.’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia.
What: In Odysseo, 70 horses and 50 artists lead the viewer on a great journey where, together, they discover some of the planet’s most unforgettable landscapes. A veritable revolution in live performance, Odysseo comprises a list of superlatives: the world’s largest touring big top, the biggest stage, the most beautiful visual effects, and the greatest number of horses at liberty. Odysseo is a feast for the eyes that, despite its size, still succeeds in delivering the spectacular with soul.
When: Opens on Wednesday February 29, 2012 at 8 pm
Where: Under the White Big Top at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami
Ticket information: Tickets are on sale now at the introductory price of $49.50 to $119.50 + applicable fees for regular tickets. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $159.50 to $219.50, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour the Cavalia stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package which includes a tour of the stables after the show, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is also available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17), and senior citizens (65+). For ticket information, please visit www.cavalia.net or call 1-866-999-8111.
About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from local, state and national foundations, as well as private contributions to the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation through corporate and individual giving, Visionary Society membership and the Encore Circle major gifts programs.
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Made possible by Miami-Dade County’s largest ever public/private-sector partnership, the Center is home to the Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy. In addition, numerous South Florida arts organizations perform in its theaters regularly. Since opening in 2006, the Center has emerged as a leader in offering and presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, as a catalyst for development in Miami, and as a host of impactful community outreach and education programs. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.
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