War Horse’s ascension may seem a recent phenomenon, but time has come to announce cast changes. The most important character, the horse Joey, will always remain. However, the role of Albert Narracott, the boy in desperate search for Joey, will be passed on from Seth Numerich to Andrew Durand. Durand’s Broadway resume is quite impressive, so War Horse tickets for the production at the Vivian Beaumont Theater should remain as popular as ever after the cast change on January 12, 2012.

Durand is the headliner of a 15-person cast change. Durand previously commanded critical praise as a member of Spring Awakening, Frank Wedekind’s famed play about the sexually-repressed culture at the beginning of the 20th century. While 15 new faces is much for any theatrical production to endure, the producers, directors, puppeteers and familiar fans appreciate the 21 actors and actresses who are remaining to provide some kind of consistency as the show adjusts to such an upheaval.

Many more young, hungry actors and actresses will be given the opportunity to portray the many characters of this Tony and Laurence Olivier Award-winning play as War Horse is set to embark on a much less treacherous journey. A touring production will tour the United States beginning on June 13, 2012 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Also, before the national tour begins, the neighbors to the north will be enjoying its own production. War Horse will begin an open-ended run at the Princess of Wales Theatre on February 28, 2012.

Of course, the Steven Spielberg directed film adaptation will likely be receiving most of the attention, as it opens in December 2011, just in time for Christmas. In the battle of media exposure and the big bucks War Horse is most definitely not wandering in No Man’s Land. It is set to continue its success as a play and will certainly become one of the best grossing films of the new Academy Award season.