War Horse at Straz Center of Performing Arts 4/30/13 – 5/5/13 @StrazCenter

This Tuesday, my husband and I had the opportunity to watch the play War Horse at Straz Center in Tampa. I was given the tickets by Straz Center so that I could attend and review the play.  My family and I have seen many plays at Straz Center – Wicked, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast.  To say that I like going to the theatre is putting it lightly.  I love it.  So I eagerly accepted the opportunity to see War Horse.  This play is traveling across the US. Right now it is in Tampa showing at the Straz Center of Performing Arts. The play is showing through Sunday, May 5th. For ticket information, go HERE. Prices start at $44.50.

War Horse is based on the book “War Horse” by Michael Morpurgo.  It tells the story of Albert, a teenage boy, and Joey, his half thoroughbred horse.  In the play, you watch Albert meet Joey for the first time and then watch Albert as he trains Joey to become a plow horse. Through this process, Albert becomes best friends with Joey.  Unbeknownst to Albert, Joey is sold to the calvary to fight in World War I and the story follows Albert as he sneaks off to be reunited with Joey on the war-front in France.

The story is riveting and while watching the audience in the packed theater, every person was glued to the scene in front of them.  With no question, my most favorite aspect of the play was the horses.  Joey as well as the other horses are all life-like puppets and these puppets needed three men and/or women to control the horse’s head, heart and hindquarters.  These actors were amazing.  Honestly, they made these life-size puppets come alive.  There were scenes where the horses were standing still and even while being still, their ears were moving, their tales were twitching and their chests moving as if they were breathing.  As you get captivated in the storyline of the play, it is easy to forget that these horses are in fact puppets and not real.

This play is recommended for children 10 years and older. I will add that this play involves scenes of mass death on the battlefield and mortally wounded horses so use your own discretion.

This play is traveling across the US. Right now it is in Tampa showing at the Straz Center of Performing Arts. The play is showing through Sunday, May 5th. For ticket information, go HERE. Prices start at $44.50.

Straz Center of Performing Arts provided me with two tickets to review this play.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.