NEW DOLPHIN SHOW IS THEATRICAL SPECTACULAR
– There’s something new on the horizon at SeaWorld: a breakthrough theatrical spectacular that unites sea and sky with visions of Broadway as it showcases majestic animals and spirited performers.
“Blue Horizons” — featuring energetic bottlenose dolphins, a colorful array of exotic birds and amazing acrobatic performers — is
scheduled to open May 2010 at SeaWorld San Diego.
“We’re delighted to bring ‘Blue Horizons’ to SeaWorld,” says the park’s general
manager and executive vice president, Andy Fichthorn. “Dolphins are one of the most
beloved and adored animals in the world, and it’s exciting to combine the grace and energy
of such an amazing creature with a theatrical production that will be truly spectacular. We
believe our guests will love this new and fantastic show.”
To create “Blue Horizons,” SeaWorld collaborated with the entertainment industry’s
most inventive and artistic experts, marrying great theatrical extravagance — seen in the
larger-than-life set, dramatic costuming and intriguing show development — with the aweinspiring
feats of SeaWorld animals and trainers.
At the center of “Blue Horizons” is Marina, a young girl whose vivid imagination sets
the stage for an extravaganza of graceful dolphins, magnificent pilot whales and a rainbow
of exotic birds. “Blue Horizons” features action both above and under the water, as a cast
of divers and aerialists, dressed in eye-catching costumes symbolizing sea and sky, plunge
off the elaborate set into, and also propel out of, the deep blue water.
“ ‘Blue Horizons’ is truly unique as it seamlessly blends the amazing power and grace
of SeaWorld’s dolphins and pilot whales with the lavish splendor of Broadway,” said Stanley
Meyer, “Blue Horizons” set designer and show consultant. Meyer, best known for his work
designing the Broadway musical ”Beauty and the Beast,” created the set for SeaWorld
Orlando’s “Blue Horizons,” which has been a hit with audiences there since 2005.
“Only SeaWorld could create such a spectacular concept, a type of show that can be
seen nowhere else in the world,” said Meyer. “It sets a completely new benchmark for aweinspiring
entertainment.”
Using elements of the sea and sky — and a young girl’s vivid imagination — as his
inspiration, Meyer designed a whimsical, yet dramatic, atmosphere with an immense rising
sun, hundreds of iridescent bubbles, and an elaborate, 40-foot-high framework which
envelops the pool and balances divers and aerialists as they plunge from bungees and soar
on “cloud swings.”
While these characters sway through the sky and dive off the set, the true stars of
the show grace the waters below. SeaWorld’s dolphins and pilot whales leap their way into
this dreamy adventure. African crowned cranes, coral bills, black vultures and other bird
species soar over the audience as they ascend toward the horizon.
The stirring, original musical score for “Blue Horizons” is performed by the Seattle
Symphony Orchestra.
At SeaWorld San Diego, Dolphin Stadium will be completely transformed for “Blue
Horizons,” including an entirely new set; trusses, diving boards and bungee swings for the
aerialists and divers; a new sound system; high-tech water features; and an additional 700
seats for guests.
SeaWorld’s current dolphin show, “Dolphin Discovery,” debuted in 1996 and is one of
the longest running shows in the park’s 45-year history. It showcases SeaWorld’s family of
bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales in a high-energy show with some surprise comic
moments. The “Dolphin Discovery” finale will take place Labor Day weekend so that
construction can begin. During construction, guests will still be able to enjoy a special
dolphin show, which will take place at Shamu Stadium beginning in late November 2009.
SeaWorld San Diego is one of 10 Worlds of Discovery operated by Busch
Entertainment Corporation, the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Other Worlds of Discovery include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio; Busch
Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla. and Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery
Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s
water park in Orlando; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA
in Williamsburg. Worlds of Discovery, based in Orlando, play host to more than 25 million
guests each year and employ more than 21,000 people nationwide.
Leaders in conservation and education, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery
Cove care for the largest animal collection in the world and offer an education Web site
especially for students and teachers at www.seaworld.org. Information on the SeaWorld
& Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is at www.swbg-conservationfund.org. General
park information is found at www.seaworld.com.
Kelly Terry
SeaWorld Public
Relations
