War Horse, Center Theatre Group

Production photo by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

War Horse by Nick Stafford.

Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA

War Horse, the spectacular stage show that captivated Steven Spielberg, is now playing at the Ahmanson Theater in Downtown LA until July 29, 2012. A unique theatrical experience that combines intense drama with elaborate staging and dazzling puppetry, War Horse is essentially a love story between a boy and his horse. At the heart of the show are full-sized puppets that thrillingly bring breathing, galloping and charging horses to life on stage.  Read more…

DanyMargolies – ArtInLA

“Where have you been?” asks soldier Albert of his beloved horse Joey near the conclusion of this epic tale. Yes, we’ve spoiled the ending, as you now can be certain man and steed make it through World War I. But the answer to the question is the artistic—dare it be called unique—recounting of a straightforward but unfortunately historic tale, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford, and directed by Bijan Sheibanibased on the original direction of Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.  Read more…

Bob Verini – Variety

A total theater experience sure to dazzle, as they used to say, children from 8 to 80. Read more…

Melinda Schupmann – Showmag

For its range of powerful emotion and dazzling theatricality, this production raises the bar for what theater companies can produce when all the right elements are aligned. A searing indictment of war and its dehumanizing anguish is at the core of the story, and looking at it through the eyes of a boy and a horse is wrenching and poignant. Nearly a million horses were forced into cavalry combat against war weapons and most perished in the “war to end all wars.”  Read more…