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Cavalia’s horses return with Odysseo

The horse show of acrobatic proportions returns to downtown Miami

• “Odysseo”
  When: Through March 25, 2012
  Where: Bicentennial Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd.
  Tickets: $29.00 - $199.50
  More Info: 866-999-8111 or cavalia.net
  

By Hadley Henriette

Cavalia returns with Odysseo, a new Cirque-style show that takes the horse and human act to another level. They’ve brought in the world’s largest traveling big-top tent, 70 horses of 12 different breeds and a magnificent, state-of-the-art set that takes the audience around the world with vivid colors and projections. One minute they’re on the Savannah with an African troupe of insanely acrobatic men, the next, on Easter Island with 20-something unbridled, riderless horses galloping across lush green hills. The horses, luxurious manes flowing, appear totally wild and free until they break into perfect color-coordinated formation. The whole visually stunning scene is an exercise in beauty and grace, a study in perfectly sculpted muscle both human and equine.

In another scene, men ride at full speed hanging from the horse by one arm. In fact, there are so many impossible equestrian feats, it’s easy to forget how hard regular riding really is. But this is the genius of Cavalia, which takes the connection between man and horse to new heights, and brings the audience along. “The horse has been a partner of humanity throughout the ages,” explains Normand Latourelle, President and Artistic Director of Cavalia.

It’s Montral-based Latourelle who is responsible for giving Cavalia the look and feel of a horsey Cirque du Soleil show complete with spired tents, similar, dreamy live music and operatic singing. He began with the original Cirque du Soleil but left in 1990 to pursue other projects before launching the original Cavalia on his own in 2003. Like Cavalia’s first visit to Miami in 2010, the production is partnering with the Adrienne Arsht Center.

To get a closer look at the real stars of the show, ante up for “The Horse Lovers Package,” a post-show trip to the stables to witness the “four-legged artists” under their own bright-white big-top. There, a handful of the human performers who hail from 10 different countries, are busy lovingly braiding the star’s manes to keep them looking magnificent for the next night’s performance.