Pictured: Eden Baim and Anthony Pullford get to know one of the show's stars and pose with Cavalia art. Photo by Marcy Baim. Cavalia has been extended to Aug. 9. See interview with Cavalia's Jesse Lee Cooper by Andrew Davis at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php
Two young roving reviewers recently went to see Cavalia for Windy City Times. Cavalia is a spectacular equine pageant — imagine Cirque du Soleil with 60 horses, and you're on the right track. This is no coincidence, because Normand Latourelle, the artistic director of Cavalia, was also a pioneer of the Cirque du Soleil.
We were just two of the more than 2.5 million people to enjoy the show in 27 cities during the past six years. We were most impressed by the freedom of the horses and the relationship between horse and humans. The horses, which come from 13 different breeds - are listed in the program as 'four-legged artists,' and that should give you an idea of how much respect is given to them. We were amazed and delighted by the talents of Amaretto, Pirata, Tonner, Gracioso and many of their equine colleagues. Oh, and there are also 35 human artists, too, and they come from 10 countries, making for a very international feel to the program.
This is a show of many moods and many varied types of performance. In La Decouverte, the first piece, for example, Carey Hackett dances in a pool of water and moves into a lovely dance of meeting with a beautiful, dappled grey gelding. The horse canters around her and she dances with him and gently brings him to the water to drink. It is pure poetry in motion — what dreams are made of. There are other acts where there are thrilling jumps, and trick riding, acrobatics on horseback and lasso rope work. In another favorite, Poste Hongroise, which completely amazed us, the riders stand on the backs of the horses as they canter and do jumps. If you have ever ridden horses in the normal, sitting-in-the-saddle way, imagine the level of skill and difficulty doing the same while standing up straddling the backs of two horses at the same time and doing amazing jumps.
The horses also do some very fancy footwork, which is always a delight. In Pieds Percussion, Estelle Delgado rides Gracioso in a crowd of people while her mount dances in a fancy circular trot. Haute Ecole was possibly the most beautiful sequence, where Geraldine Boutet rides Pirata through a mystical forest with peaceful and enchanting music.
The show is greatly enhanced by very beautiful live and recorded music. Guitars, keyboards, drums, violin, cello and a singer all make the event more special and moving. The scenic designs and lighting are just as impressive as they are in any Cirque du Soleil production. The sense of teamwork and commitment to this beautiful vision of humans and their 'complicite' with horses results in a show not to be missed. Drop everything, and see it while you can.
Cavalia's run in Chicago has been extended to Aug. 9. It plays in a white, big top tent ( 'the largest touring tent in North America' ) in the near west loop, at Jackson and Racine. There are matinee and evening performances. Call 866-999-8111 or visit www.cavalia.net for tickets.
