DreamWorks How To Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular
by Karen Pecota
A call from DreamWorks Dragon world entertained multi-generational multitudes during four days of live performances in the Tacoma Dome, December 6-9, 2012–Tacoma, Washington. The act of staging was a live production of the famed DreamWorks film, How To Train Your Dragon based on the book series about Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III by Cressida Cowell.
Cowell’s story features a legendary world where magic meets myth with Viking and Dragon warriors. Cowell features Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III who she claims was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. Cowell adds, “But, it wasn’t always like that.”
The live performance narrative tells the beginnings of a teenage boy, Hiccup (Riley Miner)* who is intensely ridiculed by his Viking clansmen for taking a stand against becoming a traditional dragon slayer. The Viking tribe is known for their traditional views of sport involving the 
slaying of dragons, using captured dragons as work slaves and participating in heroic dragon hunting escapades.
Hiccup, the son of the Viking tribe leader, Stoick (Robert Morgan) is under pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps. Hiccup is to be trained to lead the clan by example in their traditional activities for sport in the near future. A sport he would rather avoid. Hiccup must enter dragon slaying school with his classmates. Astrid (Gemma Nguyen)*, his childhood friend is in the training too. She is the only girl warrior and much braver than Hiccup. Astrid knows that her friend is a different kind of warrior but doesn’t realize to what extent. Hiccup is challenged to stand-up for his beliefs while not fully understanding them himself. Hiccup begins to explore his conviction at the capture of a young dragon named Toothless (also called The Night Furry because of a dark color, swift movements, size and expressive eyes). The rarest and most intelligent of the dragon species, Toothless, magically reveals to Hiccup a different way to view dragons. The revelation helps Hiccup to own his true calling as a Viking leader and act upon his conviction.
DreamWorks magic develops Cowell’s fantasy into a glory of grandeur with larger-than-life animatronic technologically-challenged creatures to be feared and adored. The dragon’s performances were truly a mesmerizing spectacular for the naked eye to behold. I was transfixed several times!
A Dragon, that’s beautiful? Oh, Yes!
A Dragon, that is heart-warming, kind, loving and funny? Amazingly, Yes!
A Dragon, that’s fierce? Absolutely!
DreamWorks developed a phenomenal concept in theatrical entertainment never-before known to a mass audience. Genuinely a real live spectacular that brings life to amazing puppetry and propelled by world-class circus artists, martial arts and acrobatics. Wow! But, this was not all!
DreamWorks theatrical entertainment goes one step further to immerse their audience into a visually striking performance. They incorporate into the live spectacular a large-scale cinematic projection. It’s so cool! Timing is everything for the right effect and incredibly engaging. The scene where Hiccup journey’s over ‘hill and dale’ was one I could not take my eyes off of the thrill. I felt like I was watching or even playing a video game, live!
Impressive was to observe a mass of very young children who sat through the whole performance without a whimper or screech at the sight of the gigantic creatures. Sitting through the whole presentation was amazing, in my opinion.
The usual warning to turn off cell phones and adhere to using no flash photography during the performance was strongly advised. The reason for no flash photography was to avoid dragons malfunctioning from the flicker of bright lights. Ironically, the dragons must have been used to the very annoying bright flickering lights from the kids purchased souvenir Viking helmets. Their lights were constantly flashing throughout the entire show! Not one Dragon malfunctioned!
The audience interactive experience was wonderfully developed, especially with Viking clan leader, Stoick. A special atmosphere made for the skilled actor to enjoy with his audience. And, vice versa!
After the performance, I heard people talking on their cell phones encouraging friends and family to secure tickets before a performance sell-out occurs. Word of mouth is one special driving force behind the marketing for this live entertainment. And, rightly so, it is a great avenue to promote quality live theater today. It’s a theatrical experience made for the whole family to enjoy
Thank you to DreamWorks, Global Creatures, Actors, and Cast & Crew for the Animatronic Technology. You have shared your labor of love with multitudes that appreciate your collaboration and understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience. Awesome, job!
*The roles for Hiccup and Astrid are shared with a team from Los Angeles (Riley Miner & Gemma Nguyen) and a team from Australia (Rarmann Newton & Sarah McCreanor)