Horse Whisperer. To nurture the magical bond between the humans and horses in "Cavalia," the horses' natural playfulness and charisma were encouraged through patience, trust and deep-seated respect. (Photo Courtesy of Cavalia.net)
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, there is a perfect outing awaiting you and your sweetheart at "Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse" at Marymoor Park in Redmond. To say this show is steeped in romance is an understatement. There is so much warmth and love involved in this one-of-a-kind production that it virtually emanates from the long and wide stage on which is played out a most thrilling and brilliant experience that audiences are bound to not soon forget.
"Cavalia" will touch you in ways you cannot know until you are there experiencing it. It will make you laugh, utter "wow" over and over, stare with your mouth hanging open in wonder, and maybe even cause you to shed a tear borne on the touching beauty of love and compassion these horses can bring out in us humans. This is not a "horse show" – meaning that you will not see a three-ring circus where the point is for the performers to prove "look what I can make these horses do." Rather, the tables are turned in "Cavalia" where the point is "look what these horses can make us do."
There is a distinct purity in what this show is all about – a deeply humble and reverent genuflection to a gift from God that is the horse. As stated in the program, "'Cavalia' is an ode to beauty; a freedom fantasy; a hymn to harmony; one step toward a new complicity." "Cavalia" explores and builds on that blessed moment of bonding with the wild – when beast and man become one like two dancers lost in the music.
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, "Cavalia" is the brainchild of Normand Latourelle. Since co-founding Cirque du Soleil, he has become renowned for his large-scale innovative productions that take spectators to new realms. The human performers in "Cavalia" do all the tricks. They fly through the air, ride horses standing up (Roman riding), build human towers, back flip, swing from trapezes, dangle from above hanging onto yards of fabric…the talent and passion in this young cast is astounding. The show features 38 acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and riders.
But with all due respect to the human performers, the horses steal the show. "Cavalia" features 45 of them in a wide variety of breeds and sizes – including a miniature horse that is cute as a button. Some of the most profound moments are when the horses are turned loose to walk freely on the stage all by themselves wearing no saddles, bridles or other manmade contraptions. They seem to somehow know they are the center of attention, and they kept Sunday night's audience in rapt attention as they moved gracefully among each other to mystical music and lighting. All the music played in "Cavalia" is by a live band and singer Mary-Pier Guilbault, whose voice is like that of a songbird.
Presenting "Cavalia" in a specially built venue makes for an atmosphere that would not be possible in any of the area arenas like Tacoma Dome or Key Arena. In the big-top tent, seating is all on one side to the right and on the left the stage stretches from end to end of the seating rows. There is not a bad seat in the house. Many spires with flags flying top the tent complex, looking like a medieval traveling show from centuries ago. This will well prepare you for what is waiting inside this "castle" where horses are our closest and most loyal friends. Bursting with special effects, "Cavalia" is presented in virtual settings created by the latest multi-media technology available.
Due to strong demand for tickets, "Cavalia" has been extended to run to Feb. 26. Tickets are priced from $34.50 to $99.50 plus applicable fees. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $129.50 to $189.50, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour the stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package that includes the post-show stable tour, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is also available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and senior citizens (65+).
Marymoor Park is located at 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E. in Redmond. For tickets, visit www.cavalia.net or call 1 (866) 999-8111. And be sure to bring $15 cash for parking.
SIDEBAR
Love birds that want to go out on the town on Valentine's Day evening (Feb. 14) can take advantage of the special "Magical Moment" packages being offered. The "Valentine Rendez-Vous Package" includes more than a dozen perks, like access to the Rendez-Vous Lounge 90 minutes before the show, during intermission and after the show; special red carpet welcome and glass of champagne; sophisticated selection of hors-d'oeuvres combined with an exquisite buffet before the show; tours of the "Cavalia" stables and much more. The "Valentine Horse Lover Package" offers preferred seating in the front rows; a complimentary glass of sparkling wine; a tour of the stables and a special gift.
