Critically Acclaimed Theatrical Production Cavalia: a Magical Encounter between Horse and Man to Make Exclusive Regional Run in Seattle.Entertainment Editors/News Editors SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004 Grand-Scale Show from the Co-Founder of Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil (French for "Circus of the Sun") is an entertainment empire based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. Debuts Thursday, June 17 Features More Than 60 Performers, Including 33 Magnificent Horses After enjoying sold-out, extended runs in Toronto, Montreal, San Francisco and Los Angeles -- where the Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Morning daily newspaper. Established in 1881, it was purchased and incorporated in 1884 by Harrison Gray Otis (1837–1917) under The Times-Mirror Co. (the hyphen was later dropped from the name). called it "horseplay horse·play n. Rowdy or rough play. horseplay Noun rough or rowdy play Noun 1. at its best" -- Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man -- will make its exclusive Washington engagement in Seattle, debuting Thursday, June 17. Created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of Quebec's famed Cirque du Soleil, and directed by Erick Villeneuve, Cavalia is a grand-scale spectacle involving acrobatics acrobatics Art of jumping, tumbling, and balancing. The art is of ancient origin; acrobats performed leaps, somersaults, and vaults at Egyptian and Greek events. Acrobatic feats were featured in the commedia dell'arte theatre in Europe and in jingxi (“Peking , music, projected images and more than 60 performers, including a troupe of 33 magnificent horses from all over the world. In Cavalia, horses cavort ca·vort intr.v. ca·vort·ed, ca·vort·ing, ca·vorts 1. To bound or prance about in a sprightly manner; caper. 2. with acrobats, aerialists and riders in front of a constantly changing background projected on a 200-ft. wide screen, transporting spectators to dream-like virtual settings. Infused with live music and vocals, the show also features the talents of acclaimed European "horse-whisperers" Frederic Pignon and his wife, Magali Delgado, who bring an approach to its equine stars marked by kindness and complicity. The audience faces a single, 160-ft. wide stage which allows the horses space to gallop at full speed, at times completely unfettered by bridles or halters. This expansive sensibility is emphasized by the show's execution under North America's largest touring tent -- a white, 26,264-sq. ft. big top rising some 100 feet high. By turns delightful, thrilling and poignant, Cavalia explores humankind's long relationship with the horse. Juxtaposed jux·ta·pose tr.v. jux·ta·posed, jux·ta·pos·ing, jux·ta·pos·es To place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast. with the vibrancy of the lavish production is a subtle thematic line that takes audiences through the evolution of horses and our interaction: from unbridled life in the wilderness, to early domestication domestication Process of hereditary reorganization of wild animals and plants into forms more accommodating to the interests of people. In its strictest sense, it refers to the initial stage of human mastery of wild animals and plants. , and ultimately to a relationship with human beings based on freedom and mutual respect. The show arrives in Seattle after critical acclaim from its SRO See Self-regulatory organization. SRO See self-regulatory organization (SRO). run in Los Angeles. In addition to the Los Angeles Times, Variety called it a "magical, mythic experience" and the Hollywood Reporter said "you'll never think of horses quite the same way." At the show's American debut in San Francisco, critics were unanimous. Recognizing "an equine ballet," The Oakland Tribune pronounced Cavalia "the ultimate display of unity between horse and rider This article is about the constellation. For the equestrian magazine, see Horse & Rider. The Horse and Rider is an informal name given to the stars Mizar (ζ UMa) and Alcor (80 UMa) because of their close proximity in the sky. ." "For horse buffs, this is nirvana," enthused the San Jose Mercury News The San Jose Mercury News is the major daily newspaper in San Jose, California and Silicon Valley. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group. Its headquarters and printing plant are located in North San Jose next to the Nimitz Freeway (Interstate 880). . Prior to its American premiere in San Francisco, critical response to its original Canadian run was enthusiastic after its debut in August, 2003. The Toronto Star dubbed it "a truly magical experience (that)...possesses the same power as some of the finer Cirque du Soleil shows." In Montreal, Global Television found it ''utterly mesmerizing'' while Le Devoir proclaimed, "Cavalia, presented in an incomparable setting, looks like nothing that has ever been seen." Normand Latourelle, president and artistic director of Cavalia, is the visionary behind the show. Since co-founding Cirque du Soleil in 1985 and participating in its development until 1990, he has become renowned for his adventurous, mammoth and innovative productions, taking spectators to new realms. They include international gatherings like the Summit of the Americas The Summit of the Americas is the name for one of a sequence of summits bringing together the countries of the Americas for discussion of a variety of issues. These encounters are organized by a number of multilateral bodies led by the Organization of American States. in Quebec City and the APEC APEC in full Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Trade group established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional economic blocs (such as the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area) (Asia-Pacific Economic Conference) Summit in Vancouver, as well as the Sound and Light installation at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. "My dream began to take shape when I met the equestrian trainer and artist Frederic Pignon and his partner Magali Delgado," says Latourelle. "As equestrian co-directors of Cavalia and performers, they bring a wonderfully gentle and magical way with horses to the heart and soul of the production." The creative team includes former contributors to the productions of Cirque du Soleil, singer Celine Dion, theatre genius Robert Lepage, and director Franco Dragone. Cavalia is directed by Erick Villeneuve, who also designed the visual effects for the show, and features an original score by Michel Cusson, set design by Marc Labelle, lighting by Alain Lortie, sound by Jerome Boisvert, choreography by Alain Gauthier and Brad Denys, and costumes by Mireille Vachon. Cavalia's American tour is made possible through the support of The Government of Quebec and The Government of Canada The Government of Canada is the federal government of Canada. The powers and structure of the federal government are set out in the Constitution of Canada. In modern Canadian use, the term "government" (or "federal government") refers broadly to the cabinet of the day and . For its exclusive run in Seattle, Cavalia will take place in parking lot 3 of Boeing's Renton Plant (corner of Garden Avenue North and North 8th St.). Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 23, 2004, and are priced from $34 to $73. Children under 12: $23 to $59. Seniors and students tickets are available from Tuesday to Thursday. Cavalia Rendezvous (VIP) packages are also available ($145 to $165, $95 to $115 for children under 12). All prices are before service fees. For more information and reservations, call 866-999-8111 or visit the Web site at www.cavalia.net. Editors: High-resolution photos can be downloaded from www.cavalia.net/media. B-Roll available on request. |
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