Turnaround time from Broadway to Dallas is getting shorter. The AT&T Performing Arts Center's Lexus Broadway Series has just added the current Lincoln Center and West End hit play War Horse to its 2012-'13 season at the Winspear Opera House. The play, currently up for five Tony Awards, has become a huge success in London and New York. Next year's tour will take War Horse to 20 U.S. cities.
Based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford, War Horse tells the story of an English boy named Albert whose beloved horse, Joey, is conscripted into the English cavalry for World War I. Albert lies about his age to join the military to look for Joey to bring him home.
The show uses innovative stagecraft and intricate puppetry to portray the horses in the story. CBS Sunday Morning reporter Martha Teichner recently took a look behind the scenes of the amazing physical work of the puppeteers who portray the life-sized animals in War Horse (video after the jump).
"We are thrilled to be able present War Horse on its first national tour," said Doug Curtis, interim CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Wednesday's announcement."This show has generated more excitement and discussion than any I can recall in a long time. War Horse represents the kind of artistic productions we are committed to bringing to our audiences both now and in the future."
Along with the play's five Tony nominations -- for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play, Best Set Design for a Play, Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Play -- Handspring Puppet Company, which designed and performs the horses, has already received a special Tony for the production.
War Horse premiered at the National's Olivier Theatre in London in 2007 and returned to the National Theatre for a second run in 2008 before transferring to the West End's New London Theatre, where it continues to play to sold-out houses in an open-ended run. It opened at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater on April 14, 2011, receiving glowing reviews.
For season tickets to the ATTPAC Lexus Broadway Series, call the box office, 214-880-0202, or click here.