When I first learned the play, WAR HORSE, was coming to Dayton, I was determined to see it.  

Early September, I learned there was a special deal with seats for $10 each.  I immediately purchased three. 

By October, the excitement was mounting.  Tuesday, October 22, the puppet, Joey, the true star of the show, was brought out to the public in front of the Schuster Center.  My friend, Suzanne, and I played a bit of hooky from school during our lunch/prep hour, and hurried downtown for this event.  

Incredible!

One of Joey’s gave a wonderful description of how Joey is handled.  He was so life-like that I honestly kept forgetting I was watching a puppet.

Friday evening, I ventured into the Schuster’s theatre, and settled into my seat with my newly acquired companions, Melissa Hahm and Jacob Nickel.  For the next two hours, I was riveted to the stage. 

The story was quite similar to the movie I’d seen a year or so before.  Compelling.

The scenic design blew me away.  The puppets, the actors incorporated into the pieces of scenery, the projections.  All breath-taking.  A new world was opened for me in technical theatre.

The cast.  Excellent.

Joey.  

Joey was not a puppet.  Joey was not even a horse in a story.  Joey quickly became my Flyer, Logan, Navi and Chief… my own beloved pets.

WAR HORSE has had a tremendous impact on me, both personally, and professionally.  It has been one of the best theatrical experiences in my life.

The Queen meets Joey