“WAR HORSE” PREVIEWS AT THE PALM

12 Dec “WAR HORSE” PREVIEWS AT THE PALM

Could the latest matinee idol be tall, chestnut, and handsome, with soft,  intelligent eyes, very buff and high strung with a jones for sugar ?

Ads about the movie featuring the horse Joey shout: “Warhorse: The Greatest Journey Is The One That Leads You Home.” Then,  “In Movie Theatres Christmas Day.”  Except in Telluride. In Telluride,  Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure screens early.

Thanks to Disney and part-time locals and long-time Spielberg associates, producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy,  Telluride audiences will be treated to a sneak peak of “Warhorse.”  The special screening takes place Thursday,  December 22,  7 p.m. Telluride Playwrights Festival and the Michael D. Palm Theatre are the evening’s hosts.

DreamWorks Pictures’s “Warhorse” is a tale of loyalty,  hope and tenacity set against a backdrop of rural England and Europe during WWI. Young Albert enlists in the service after his beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry. “Warhorse” follows Albert’s and Joey’s journeys through the upheaval,  beginning with a remarkable friendship with a young man and continuing on into the hands of the British cavalry,  German soldiers,  and a French farmer. As this magnificent animal moves between warring factions, Joey inspires the lives of everyone he touches.

Why would a movie like “Warhorse” be hosted by the Telluride Playwrights Festival? “Warhorse,” the movie,  is based on a popular children’s book,  which was then adapted as a play by the Royal National Theatre. Jennie Franks, Telluride Playwrights Festival’s Artistic Director,  saw “Warhorse” on London’s West End stage and was taken by the magic of the story and the amazing puppetry.    She wasn’t the only one.   Kathleen Kennedy also saw it in London and bought the movie rights.   Steven Spielberg was a natural to direct the epic story.   “Warhorse”, the play, is still playing at the Lincoln Center on Broadway,  “Warhorse,” the play, has  won five Tonys,  including Best Play,  at the 2011 Tony Awards.

The Telluride Playwrights Festival is all about cutting-edge theatre – even when it travels to the silver screen., Prior to the screening,  at 5.30 p.m.,  the Playwrights Festival and The Palm Theatre are hosting a benefit cocktail party at the Hotel Telluride,  where patrons will be treated to drinks and appetizers,  plus VIP seating and a special “goodie” bag for the movie. Tickets for the party and screening are $120 and can be bought on the Palm’s website,  along with regular tickets,  $15 for the movie only.   Go to (www.telluridepalm.com) to reserve your place.   If “Warhorse” is not sold out,  tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the show.  To guarantee seating advance purchase is highly recommended.

For more information about the event, listen to my conversation with Jennie Franks: