Cavalia is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows. Founded by Normand Latourelle, a pioneer of Cirque du Soleil, Cavalia reimagines the equestrian and theatrical arts with its new show Odysséo which opened in Scottsdale on February 21. This spectacular show combines multimedia and special effects with beautiful artistry, incredible feats of athleticism, strength and agility and amazing equestrian choreography.
Odysséo is housed in Cavalia’s signature White Big Top which is larger than a football field. The action plays out on a 27,000-square-feet stage that boasts three-dimensional, IMAX-style projected images that provide not only the backdrop to the theatrics but also its surface.
Odysseo is a 2 hour marvel with a 30 minute intermission that features 65 horses from a dozen different breeds and 50 artists whose performances are simply mesmerizing, enchanting and thrilling. Opening night began with Latourelle explaining a particular set piece that involves young Arabian horses performing in public for the first time. He asked the audience to remember this should the horses not follow instruction but assured the audience we’d find the playfulness as delightful as he did. And he was right.
From the first glimpse of the horses as they calmly and serenely emerged on stage, to their exultant galloping in the finale, my delight never waned. There was so much to be amazed at from the ever-changing scenery, the confident control the trainers conveyed and the fascinating choreography in each set. While Odysséo is a grand celebration of the magnificence of the four-legged stars, the show also highlights highly skilled trick riders, a captivating African acrobatic troupe as well as gravity-defying aerial artists.
As the creator and and artistic director, Latourelle is a true visionary. The final set piece, Les Voyageurs/Liberté , is an ambitious presentation where nine Arabian geldings dance against a projected waterfall backdrop, atop a man-made mountain range designed by Latourelle. As one horse dances its way gingerly down the mountain, as precise and gracefully as a ballerina, 80,000 gallons of water floods from under the stage, forming a lake. The sight of Arabians galloping through the water, manes wild, is simply exhilarating.
The White Big Top that houses Odysseo is conveniently located off Red Mountain 202 at N. McClintock Drive. The shows run Tuesday through Sunday until March 18. For an amazing experience, consider a VIP package that includes full meal buffet dining, various refreshments, dessert during intermission and a tour of the stables after the show. For tickets and prices, visit www.cavalia.com
Updated!!!!
Dates extended into April, check the site for details.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (Tuesday, March 6) #Odysseo – Cavalia Odysseo continues to win over Arizona residents and visitors alike. Due to strong ticket sales in Arizona, the producers of the $30 million theatrical experience are delighted to announce the addition of an extra week of performances to its limited run in Scottsdale, including shows on Good Friday (March 30) and Easter Sunday (April 1). The impressive cast of 70 majestic horses and 50 riders, acrobats, aerialists, stilt walkers, dancers and musicians will now be performing under the White Big Top near Red Mountain 202 at McClintock Dr. through Monday, April 2. The newly added matinee and evening performances are now on sale at www.cavalia.com or by calling 1-866-999-8111.
Cavalia Odysseo’s mind-boggling theatrical effects are as spectacular as they are numerous, and they include a state-of-the art projection screen which is three times the size of the world’s largest movie screen, a full 3-story high mountain for astounding fresh perspectives, a life-size merry-go-round and a real lake made of 40,000 gallons of recycled water, which emerges for a splashing finale. The show’s four-legged stars play and perform with freedom, highlighting a magical relationship with their human counterparts while creating an entertainment phenomenon unlike anything seen across the world today. Deploying their extraordinary talents, Cavalia Odysseo’s acrobats interact with the horses and the audience and perform using a unique combination of force and sensitivity, while live musicians and vocalists immerse spectators of all ages in an enchanting, unforgettable multi-sensory experience they will remember forever.
TICKETS – Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $169.50 + applicable fees. For a memorable outing, the Rendez-Vous VIP package offers the best seats in the house, a full meal buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit to the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous VIP package prices range from $154.50 to $269.50 + applicable fees. Special pricing and packages are also available for groups of 12 spectators and more. Tickets for Cavalia Odysseo are available at www.cavalia.com/scottsdale/ or by calling 1-866-999-8111.
CALENDAR EDITOR
WHAT: Cavalia Odysseo
WHEN: MORE SHOWS ADDED : Matinee and evening performances scheduled through April 2
WHERE: Under the White Big Top in Scottsdale – Red Mountain 202 at McClintock Dr.
1475 N. McClintock Dr, Tempe AZ 85257 (for your GPS)
TICKETS: Available at www.cavalia.com or by calling 1-866-999-8111.
INFO: www.cavalia.com/scottsdale/
