NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With War Horse Actor-Puppeteer Leah HofmannEver wonder how Broadway's acclaimed War Horse accomplishes such a feat of epic storytelling eight times a week? Leah Hofmann, a member of the hard-working cast of actors and puppeteers in the show, offers Playbill.com readers an unprecedented look backstage, behind the scenes and inside the puppets themselves.
By
Matthew Blank, Leah Hofmann
August 22, 2012
"It was love at first sight when I met Joey the Horse a year ago at my initial audition," says Hofmann, who comes from a musical theatre and dance background. "For nine months, I have had the honor of sharing this iconic tale eight times a week, along with 36 immensely talented cast members, including 12 other horse puppeteers."
"As the first female head puppeteer in the New York production, I work/play alongside actors, dancers, physical performers, musicians and puppeteers, all seamlessly working together to share the same story."
"With the help of my cast, including my trusty horse teammates Isaac Woofter and Tom Lee, here is an exclusive photo journal of a two-show day here at War Horse. Please enjoy our photo album, and come visit Joey at Lincoln Center."
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With War Horse Actor-Puppeteer Leah Hofmann
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With War Horse Actor-Puppeteer Leah Hofmann
Ever wonder how Broadway's acclaimed War Horse accomplishes such a feat of epic storytelling eight times a week? Leah Hofmann, a member of the hard-working cast of actors and puppeteers in the show, offers Playbill.com readers an unprecedented look backstage, behind the scenes and...
88 PHOTOS
Good Morning!! It's a two-show day in the land of War Horse. I wake up in my "upper" upper Eastside apartment and enjoy a little practice at the keyboard.
Leah Hofmann
Leaving my apartment, I draw a quick note for my roommates. It's not quite up to the MOMA's standard, but it's perfect for our humble abode.
Leah Hofmann
Stopping by my favorite bakery on the way to the subway, it's time to redeem my free iced coffee! And it's only taken me eight iced coffees to get here!
Leah Hofmann
I take the 6-train downtown towards Soho…
Leah Hofmann
... to visit my friend Laura Henning, who works at Mercer Kitchen. Laura and I performed together with the Radio City Rockettes for three years. I enjoy the good food and company before heading back uptown to Lincoln Center.
Here's our stop on the 1-train… LINCOLN CENTER! Do I actually work here? Someone pinch me...
Leah Hofmann
I love this walk along 65th street to the stage door. I often check out what films are playing at the Lincoln Center Film Society, located down on the left (I also highly recommend the black truffle parmesan popcorn they sell inside:)
Leah Hofmann
Ahhhh! It's Andrew Durand, our Albert! Well, It's a huge picture of Andrew. We'll see him in person very shortly.
Leah Hofmann
Look! It's our team as Topthorn. There are four horse teams in our cast that rotate between the two horse characters, Topthorn and Joey. But more about that later…
Leah Hofmann
I meet up with Tessa Klein and Katy Pfaffl as we enter the cool air-conditioning of the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
Leah Hofmann
Hello, Dressing Room Number 5! I have the honor of sharing this space with two beautiful fellow War Horse women, Katrina Yaukey and Jeslyn Kelly.
Leah Hofmann
And our dear dresser Peggy always makes sure we are well-equipped for World War I.
Leah Hofmann
My fellow horse puppeteer, Isaac Woofter, arrives at the call board to sign in and double check the horse team rotation for today's shows.
Leah Hofmann
On "Crow" track for the matinee, and then we'll be Joey the Horse tonight! Each team consists of 3 puppeteers, cleverly named Head, Heart and Hind. It's a complicated rotation between the horses, but stage management has it down to an equestrian science.
Leah Hofmann
Speaking of stage management, here's the dream team now! In the office currently are Karen Evanouskas, PSM Rick Steiger, and Chris Munnell.
Leah Hofmann
I found him! Mr. Andrew Durand, himself. It's time for fight call, where we run through the show's major fight sequences. It also gives the cast a chance to greet each other, warm up our bodies and see who got a haircut the day before.
Leah Hofmann
As Crow track, my team holds the poles for the stables scene. Here, Isaac and I are demonstrating how NOT to hold the poles.
Leah Hofmann
Fight Call continues with Joey and Topthorn practicing their horse fight… Don't worry, they really love each other. They're just acting.
Leah Hofmann
A rare view of inside the "Joey" puppet with Miss Jeslyn Kelly as the hind of Joey. Jeslyn and I are the only two female horse puppeteers here in New York. Just your modern-day Rosie the Riveters.
Leah Hofmann
Introducing Andy Murray and the Rumble Roller! (Apparently Andy didn't read the instructional manual…)
Leah Hofmann
Krystal Rowley and Madeleine Rose Yen prepare for their Act I backstage activities…
Leah Hofmann
Madeleine already has a wall lined with her one-of-kind designs. Watch out for her on Project Runway in 2020!
Leah Hofmann
Rick is simply glowing as he announces the half hour call and the line up for today's show.
Leah Hofmann
Dressing Room Number 5 convenes before the show to discuss many topics, including music, men and world peace.
Leah Hofmann
This edition of the Green Room Improv Sing Along features the old spiritual "I'll Fly Away," led by our song man on the right, Jack Spann.
Leah Hofmann
PLACES!! Alex Hoeffler, as Joey's Heart, waits in the vom with stage managers Chris Munnell and Amy Marsico.
Leah Hofmann
Swallows, Jude Sandy and Enrico D. Wey, are ready for take off from the stage left garage.
Leah Hofmann
Throughout the show, our dressing room sees many sweet visitors, including Katy Pfaffl, our song woman. She's taking a break before she rocks it out onstage with her solid vocals and trusty violin.
Leah Hofmann
This picture features half the female population in War Horse. Seriously.
Leah Hofmann
Lute Breuer is pondering another entry of the world's largest crossword puzzle. Only 1,028 more words to go.
Leah Hofmann
David Lansbury plays the village priest in the first act. His certificate of ordination is still in question.
Leah Hofmann
Tessa visits our dressing room for her daily helping of sprinkles.
Leah Hofmann
It's Intermission! David Manis is either holding his wig block, or he has an extremely swollen thumb.
Leah Hofmann
Andrew and I pass the intermission away by practicing our yo-yoing skills. He's really good. Me, I'm still trying to untangle the string.
Leah Hofmann
Uhhhh…..Alyssa? You should really get that looked at before we start the second act.
Leah Hofmann
I don't believe this picture requires a caption.
Leah Hofmann
Miss Madeleine is ready and waiting for her entrance. This young lady is a true professional.
Leah Hofmann
Elliot Villar gets creative with his scars for his role as Klausen.
Leah Hofmann
This portion of Backstage at War Horse is brought to you by… MUD! Inspiration for my mud today comes from my mother's sponge-painting in our St. Louis home.
Leah Hofmann
During Act 2 for Crow track, I make a trip downstairs to the "Stables," where I hang out with the boy puppeteers and creatures of the sort.
Leah Hofmann
While I'm down here, Adam, my dresser, applies my dirty putties, which are all the rage in World War I.
Leah Hofmann
And it's my favorite time of the week… The Crow Craft Corner Show! During every Crow track, myself and my fellow horse team members, Tom Lee and Isaac, unite for some clever crafting. Our first online episode is coming soon to a YouTube channel near you!
Leah Hofmann
Today on Crow Craft Corner Show: Shadow Puppets.
Leah Hofmann
Gotta put down the crafts and go back to war. On the way, I meet up with Jack, who is proudly displaying Albert's drawing of Joey. This prop can be yours too with a cute donation to Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids!
Leah Hofmann
Someone just handed me this gun, and I'm not sure what to do with it. Oh well.
Leah Hofmann
Tony Cochrane thoughtfully prepares for his role as Manfred. Looking good, my man…fred.
Leah Hofmann
Someone told Jonathan Christopher MacMillan he was playing the role of James Dean. He's actually a background soldier. He'll figure it out eventually.
Leah Hofmann
Tom and I comfort a fellow soldier prior to the final scene. Everything is going to be alright, mate. War is almost over and then we can relax between shows.
Leah Hofmann
Matinee is complete! First, I visit the physical therapy room with Michael from PhysioArts. The band of massage therapists and Physical therapists are definitely included in the War Horse family.
Leah Hofmann
Isaac and I decide to take a break from the indoors and venture out to the pier and basketball courts at Riverside Park South. Nothing like shooting a few hoops before a horse show.
Leah Hofmann
Enjoying food at Pier i Cafe. I highly recommend the blueberry lemonade.
Leah Hofmann
And the parrot highly recommends the french fries.
Leah Hofmann
It's New Jersey! I love that our theater is so close to wonderful NYC outdoor landmarks, such as the Hudson River.
Leah Hofmann
On our way back to the theater, we run into Ben Graney in the lobby. Like a good understudy, he's reviewing his lines for the role of Captain Nicholls, which he will perform tomorrow.
Leah Hofmann
Joel Ganz wants me to make sure you all know that he didn't actually go to the Juilliard School. He just happens to be sitting pretty on the Lincoln Center lawn in front of their sign.
Leah Hofmann
Hello from LCT's new Claire Tow Theater!
Leah Hofmann
And this is the view from the brand new LTC observation deck. Too bad I don't have a quarter right now.
Leah Hofmann
And here is the man keeping us all safe at night: Sir Officer Charles. In fact, I think he lives in Joey's Stables, located in the lobby of the theater.
Leah Hofmann
No, this isn't the line for Book of Mormon standing-room-only tickets, it's to sign up for next week's coveted massage and acupuncture slots.
Leah Hofmann
My momma always taught me, never wake a sleeping horse hind. (I think that's how the saying goes…)
Leah Hofmann
Downstairs in the rehearsal rooms, Madeleine, her family and Brian Huynh show their competitive spirits as they play Ballee, our official cast game.
Leah Hofmann
Before I have to be upstairs at fight call, I receive my brief piano lesson from Mr. Spann. I admit sometimes I just come down here to hear him play.
Leah Hofmann
Surprise! Tessa and Kat-- you gals will be going on for your understudy roles in the tonight's show! Just another spontaneous day here at War Horse.
Leah Hofmann
It's fight call again for this evening's show, and my team's family of rollers keeps growing.
Leah Hofmann
The team that horses together, rolls together.
Leah Hofmann
"And that makes THREE pushups, Richard! A new personal best," encourages Nat McIntyre. (I do have to make note of Richard's impeccable form).
Leah Hofmann
Ben Klein, our resident director, gives notes to the company, including Bruce the puppet. Ben, I'm pretty sure Bruce isn't even in the show.
Leah Hofmann
It's now Enrico and Alex's turn to hold the poles. They're also practicing to be Abercrombie models.
Leah Hofmann
Jude will play the infamous goose tonight. Goose should really be arrested for stealing so many scenes.
Leah Hofmann
Stage manager Brian Bogin has a plow, and he isn't afraid to use it.
Leah Hofmann
Joey once again prepares to take on Topthorn in a horse duel. (But they still love each other.)
Leah Hofmann
Baby Joey and his puppeteers Hunter Canning, David Pegram and Hannah Sloat, get reacquainted prior to this evening's performance. Unique for Baby Joey, these talented puppeteers actually switch positions every show.
Leah Hofmann
Jack and Joey. This could be a pilot for NBC next season.
Leah Hofmann
Do I really get paid to play with these cool guys and this magnificent horse?
Leah Hofmann
Geoff Murphy, our talented swing, discusses his track for tonight's show with stage manager Chris.
Leah Hofmann
Whoa!! It's our creative team: Ben and our resident puppetry director Matt Acheson. Their advice for tonight, "May the Horse Be with You."
Leah Hofmann
This may look like a scene from Fuerza Bruta, but it's in fact my favorite pre-show ritual. At five minutes before places, my team congregates on stage right to spend a couple minutes finding our connection through breath and horse vocalizations.
Leah Hofmann
The second show is underway, and it's time to turn into One Third of a Horse!
Leah Hofmann
And I'm ready for the Transformation into Big Joey (aka my absolute favorite part of the show).
Leah Hofmann
It's a water break in the lobby's smoke ring. We just conquered the show's first long sequence in the horse. One down, 48 more to go (not really…. but kinda:)
Leah Hofmann
Its intermission, and I take another trip down to the Stables. Isaac, Tom and I concoct protein smoothies using whatever fruits we have at the theater that day. Now, I'm officially replenished for Act 2.
Leah Hofmann
Harlan, our handy horse swing, keeps everyone informed of the current baseball stats. That is officially included in his duties as a swing.
Leah Hofmann
With only a few more scenes to go, Richard Crawford and I share jokes while resting in the stairwell. His jokes are usually better than mine. If you have any good ones, please send them my way.
Leah Hofmann
We may be sweaty, tired, and hungry, but I'm thankful to have shared another successful show with my team. It's honor and thrill to be included with such an inspiring production.
Leah Hofmann
While cooling down, Andrew visits my dressing room, bringing his post-show meal of chicken cacciatore. I think he's shocked I'm still taking pictures.
Leah Hofmann
Before heading home, company members often make a pitstop next-door at Indie Cafe. Dresser Rosie Wells and I giggle over a glass of wine. We'll probably here tomorrow night too.
Leah Hofmann
Well, this is my bus stop to head home. The M66 Crosstown Bus to the East side.
Leah Hofmann
I look back down 65th street, once again thankful for the wonderful opportunity to share this beautiful story called War Horse.
This marks Hofmann's Broadway debut. Theatre credits include Young Frankenstein, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Sunset Boulevard, The Producers, Camelot, La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street, My One and Only and Gypsy. She holds an MPT from the University of Missouri-Columbia. *
Andrew Durand, who was also seen in The Burnt Part Boys, London's Umbrellas of Cherbourgh and the Powerhouse staging of The Nightingale, plays the central role of Albert Narracott.
Also featured in the War Horse ranks are David Manis (as Arthur Narracott), Stephen James Anthony (as Billy Narracott), Andy Murray (as Ted Narracott), David Lansbury (as Hauptmann Müller), Harlan Bengel, Toby Billowitz, Lute Breuer, Hunter Canning, Anthony Cochrane, Ben Horner, Leah Hofmann, Tessa Klein, Nat McIntyre, Geoffrey Murphy, Andy Murray, Tommy Schrider, Jack Spann and Katrina Yaukey.
The cast of War Horse also includes Stephen James Anthony, Alyssa Bresnahan, Richard Crawford, Sanjit de Silva, Joel Reuben Ganz, Ben Graney, Alex Hoeffler, Brian Lee Huynh, Jeslyn Kelly, Tom Lee, Jonathan Christopher MacMillan, Jonathan David Martin, David Pegram, Kate Pfaffl, Jude Sandy, Hannah Sloat, Zach Villa, Elliot Villar, Enrico D. Wey, Isaac Woofter and Madeleine Rose Yen.
War Horse began Broadway previews March 15, 2011, and earned five 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Direction. It is directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris. Nick Stafford (The Battle Royal, The Snow Queen) adapted Michael Morpurgo's 1982 children's novel for the stage.
Lincoln Center Theater aligned with the National Theatre of Great Britain and producer Bob Boyett to import War Horse. It continues to play a celebrated West End run. A U.S. national tour and international productions will launch shortly.
War Horse features a series of life-sized equestrian puppets, which have the capability of strikingly lifelike movement. Each evocative creature (created by Handspring Puppet Company) is manipulated by an on-stage crew of three puppeteers who give life to a horse named Joey, as he grows from a skittish foal into a full-grown horse.
Here's how LCT bills the work: "At the outbreak of World War I, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. Joey is soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a mission to find his horse and bring him home."
The production features designs by Rae Smith and original puppet design and construction by Adrian Kohler, lighting by Paule Constable, and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick. The puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler; video designers are Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer; and songs are by John Tams. The production has music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt.
War Horse began performances in October 2007 at the National's Olivier Theatre where it continued in repertory for a sold-out run through March 2009. The production transferred to the West End's New London Theatre March 28, 2009. Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of the novel debuted in December.
Starring Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole, the musical explored the complex relationship between cosmetics giants Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden.
