|
by Keith Miller
Live shows at attractions have always covered the gambit when it comes to their genres and themes. Some replay historic happenings or current events; some dramatize famous romantic courtships; others present dazzling performances of acrobatics, dance, and music.
But this year, there seems to be a concentration of new live shows that play out in the realm of the imagination. Five of the six new shows Funworld highlights this year extend into the world of make-believe. Almost all of them also involve animals, which speaks to what ignites the passions of audiences, especially families. Of course, they also feature dazzling special effects, which seem to have become endemic to successful live shows. In the end, an appeal to strong human passions appears to stand as the hallmark of these shows.
‘One Ocean’
SeaWorld
The SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego all debuted a new flagship killer whale show for 2011. Called “One Ocean,” it replaces “Believe,” which had been running several times a day at all three parks for five years.
The SeaWorld parks say they created “One Ocean” to be stirring family entertainment, with an underlying message that animals and humans are a part of one world, and its future is in the hands of humans to “cherish and protect.”
“One Ocean” features several killer whale behaviors, including leaps and multiple whales performing together. The whales interact in new ways with one another, trainers, the audience, and even the show set itself (at one point the whales play around in giant fountains).
The three-story sets in the Shamu Stadiums—featuring panoramic LED screens and hundreds of surround-sound speakers—showcase special effects such as brilliantly colored lights, tall fountains, and outstanding underwater imagery. The show features an original contemporary musical score with rhythms from all over the globe. The “share one world” message is woven throughout the show, hopefully motivating the audience to make a difference through their everyday actions.
SeaWorld trainers are integrally involved in the show and don wetsuits that mimic whale tales, but at press time they were not entering the water with the whales as the parks continue to evaluate the killer whale/trainer interactions.
www.seaworld.com
‘Dolphin Tales’
Georgia Aquarium
As part of an enormous expansion for its new $110 million dolphin gallery, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta launched a spectacular new live show called “Dolphin Tales.” The expansion is the largest yet for the facility, and the show sets a new benchmark for the aquarium’s live entertainment.
Guests enter through a large, naturally lit lobby featuring a 25-foot-long acrylic underwater viewing window that affords them their first looks at the dolphins in their new 1.8 million-gallon tank—and that’s all before even entering the 1,800-seat “Dolphine Tales” theater.
The dramatic 25-minute show was created specifically for the aquarium by a team of Emmy-award-winning producers and directors, working with a group of specialists that included talent from TV, films, and Broadway. The show’s musical score is an original work by renowned composer Tim Williams and was recorded by a 61-piece orchestra.
Creative entertainment specialists Wow! Works of Clermont, Florida (www.wow-works.com), developed the technical theatrical designs for “Dolphin Tales” as well as created and produced the show, including extensive special effects that use light, water, sound, video, and costuming in conjunction with digitally produced animation.
Not to be outdone, the performing dolphins and their human team members invested tremendous time and effort in the production, much of it before they ever reached the Georgia Aquarium. “The dolphins featured in ‘Dolphin Tales’ were acquired through a partnership with other aquariums and educational centers in Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Bahamas,” says Michael Hunt, the aquarium’s director of animal training. “Curators from Georgia Aquarium spent months with the dolphins at these locations to become familiar with their individual personalities and histories. Once the dolphins were transported to Atlanta, a team of 22 animal trainers spent an additional 10 months rehearsing.”
The show’s story is narrated by a character called Star- Spinner, a nautical adventurer who guides the audience through an interactive voyage across the oceans. It is a saga of good versus evil, with a message centered around the importance of caring about aquatic life.
Hunt notes that although 11 bottlenose dolphins live at the Georgia Aquarium, not all of them participate in every show. “During the 27-minute performance, it is not uncommon to see nine individual dolphins coming and going,” he says. “While the dolphins are undoubtedly the stars of ‘Dolphin Tales,’ each show also features the StarSpinner and an ensemble cast of up to a dozen animal trainers.” www.georgiaaquarium.com
‘Triumph’s Sign’
Puy du Fou
In the 3rd century A.D., there was increasing discontent among the Gallic people toward their Roman occupiers. In the magnificent Gallo-Roman Stadium, the atmosphere is charged; the Gauls are enraged as they face the governor on his raised platform, and altercations ensue as the crowd is moved to one side. Booing and jeering of the governor increase as he overlooks the sentencing of several prisoners in the center of the arena. To be spared the death penalty, they must win the circus games that are about to begin, while the governor does everything he can to make sure they do not. Without the support of the stadium spectators, the prisoners cannot win. A succession of gladiator fights, wildcat wrestling, chariot races, and exotic animal parades commence. The Romans and Gauls each try to win the favor of the stadium spectators.
This is the atmosphere of “Triumph’s Sign,” the new show at Puy du Fou park in Les Epesses, France. Performances involve 80 actors, 45 horses, eight big cats, and some 60 other animals. The Gallo-Roman Stadium, which seats 6,000 guests, is based on the Roman Coliseum and has one remarkable feature many consider to be the show’s crowning achievement. “The most impressive aspect of ‘Triumph’s Sign’ is the [stadium’s] velum because it has never been built for 2,000 years,” says Solène Martineau, communication manager for Puy du Fou.
The park worked with master engineer René Chabron, who in 2003 began researching ancient writings, equations, and models to solve the mystery of the fabled velum that is said to have adorned the Roman Coliseum. He discovered the system for unfurling the cloth and calculated its weight and tolerances. In 2008, Puy du Fou partnered with him to create the incredible structure that now covers the stadium— the first working velum created in 2,000 years. The technological and architectural triumph covers about 65,000 square feet, extending to shade the stadium guests, and it only takes a few seconds to unfurl.
“Triumph’s Sign” lasts 35 minutes and is presented up to three times daily. www.puydufou.com
 ‘Raveleijn’
Efteling
Collaborating with well-known Dutch children’s author Paul van Loon, the entertainment team at Efteling park in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands, created “Raveleijn.” More than two years in the making, it is the story of five children who move with their parents from a big city to the edge of a forest and are transformed into horseback riders. Ravens and the voice of a mysterious woman lead the children to the gate of an ancient city, where appear the words “Where Ravens will become Riders.”
As soon as the kids pass through the gate, they become grown-up riders, and the ravens transform into horses. They have entered the city of Raveleijn, ruled by the evil Count Olaf Grafhart, who uses monsters called Graffers to crush his opposition. The children join with exiles of Raveleijn, who live in the forest, and they engage in a battle with the Count.
“Raveleijn” is not just a live show, but also the basis of a book, an online game, and a TV series. It marks the first time the park has started with a concept it has simultaneously populated into an attraction and other multimedia concepts— specifically a book, a game, and merchandise.
The 30-minute show takes place up to six times a day in an open-air arena that seats 1,200. www.efteling.com
‘Pirates Voyage’
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
To take advantage of the fabled pirate activity along the coast of the Carolinas, Dolly Parton’s “Dixie Stampede” in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a dinner show that ran for almost 20 years, was replaced this year by “Pirates Voyage.”
According to Pete Owens, public relations manager at Dollywood, who is heading up promotions for the new show, “Dixie Stampede” was very successful. However, due to Myrtle Beach’s high repeat visitation, a new show was needed. “Pirates Voyage” is a Dolly Parton Company production, and Owens says the music and Hollywood superstar was an integral part in the new show’s creation.
“About three years ago we started looking at stories that would fit into existing markets we have, but also are historical and have a sense of adventure,” says Owens. “This idea came up and Dolly was excited about it, so she and the production team started digging in and she wrote some music for it and worked with composer Mark Brymer to develop it. She wrote a pirate song that she performed personally the night that we opened [June 3]. She’s all about storytelling, and this is a great story to tell.”
Development of the new production cost $11 million, and the “Dixie Stampede” arena was transformed into a 750,000-gallon lagoon. Since the show has so many animals (horses, exotic birds, and sea lions) involved, an animal habitat was developed as a part of the project.
The show’s storyline revolves around a match between two groups of pirates who are in competition for treasure, and though skill competitions are involved, Owens says it is different from the Medieval Times castle shows, one of which is also located in Myrtle Beach.
“There are a few skill elements like the hand-to-hand combat things, but the show goes way beyond that,” he notes. “We have ghosts and mermaids, and live animals that are very technically trained. We’ll also definitely have some surprises in the show.”
“Pirate’s Voyage” runs up to three times nightly. www.piratesvoyage.com
‘Dreams Are Universal’
Universal Studios Japan
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka rolled out “Dreams Are Universal,” the largest show ever presented in the park’s history. The indoor musical features more than 100 entertainers and follows the story of a family that comes to the park for their son’s birthday. During the visit, each family member sees dreams come true.
The set for the show was designed by Steve Bass, production designer for the 2011 Academy Awards. “Dreams Are Universal” is scheduled to run twice a day until Jan. 9, 2012. www.usj.co.jp
Contact News Editor Keith Miller at kmiller@IAAPA.org.
|
