Omaha Performing Arts preview night

I'm completely in love with Joey. He's tall, dark, and handsome and he literally eats out of my hand. What more can a girl ask for? I have seen Joey on television but was amazed when I saw him last Thursday night. Oh did I mention that he is both a puppet and a horse?
Last Thursday night I was privileged to see the upcoming shows for next year's Omaha Performing Arts and yes, I met Joey from the Tony Award winning play, Warhorse. (Yes, even my husband was amazed by this creature.) Just to be clear, Joey is a puppet commandeered by three men who turn this creation into a real horse by movements and sounds. To watch this horse puppet makes you believe that Joey is real. He acts like a real horse complete with shakes, snickers, ears turning, and tail switching without the smells. And yes, he will even nuzzle with you.
For the 2013-2014 season, the season tickets are available for purchase this week.
The Broadway season features: The Book of Mormon, Elf the Musical, Million Dollar Quartet which includes Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, Sister Act, and War Horse. Wicked is also returning to the Orpheum in May 2014 as an additional show.
For The Showcase programs: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell will begin in July, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in October, and Elvis Lives in January.
For the Jazz season, The Musical Majesty of New Orleans in November, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra in February, and Wayne Shorter concludes this program in April of 2014.
With the Dance series, the Martha Graham Dance Company will be performing to Copeland's Appalachian Spring in January of 2014, followed by The Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company in March, and concluding Swan Lake featuring the Moscow Festival Ballet in April.
The Family series wil begin with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom starring Peter Gros, Psy: Mind-Blowing Circus in January, and Tao: The Art of Drum in March.
Also Omaha Performing Arts is beginning a children's program with Sid The Science Kid Live in January and Erth: Dinosaur Petting Zoo in March.
Another new program will be their National Geographic Live! Speaker Series with photographer Paul Nicklen in Polar Obsession, severe storms researcher Tim Samaras in Chasing Tornados, and NASA enginer Koboie Boykins with Exploring the Red Planet.
In the 1200 Club will be Dr. Lonnine Smith Trio, Sean Jones Quartet, Chistopher O'Riley, Delfeayo Marsalie, and Zoe Keating.
The planned extras feature Larry the Cable Guy, World Blues: Taj Mahal and Vusi Mehlasela, Cameron Carpenter who will perform on the Orpheum's 240 rank theater pipe organ, Empire Brass featuring Elisabeth van Trapp, and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
This is truly a season where there is something for everyone. Fortunately these are spread throughout the year, but this proves to be an outstanding year at the Holland Center and the Orpheum Theater.