Huge lifelike dinosaurs will roar onto Salt Lake stage

Few can forget seeing the phrase "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" at the bottom of the movie screen as the mighty and ravenous T. rex thundered behind the car, snapping at its passengers in "Jurassic Park."

That iconic scene not only fueled America's fascination with dinosaurs, but it begged the question, "What if?"

What if we could walk among the dinosaurs?

Utahns will get a glimpse of what it might be like when "Walking With Dinosaurs — The Live Experience" roars into town Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the EnergySolutions Arena.

"It's just mind-boggling to see a life-size T. rex walking through the arena — you'll believe it's real," said director Scott Faris.

"Our dinosaurs move exactly like they're real — with all the roars, snorts and excitement that go with it. The realism is mind-blowing."

When asked to describe the event, Faris is at a loss for words.

"It's really hard to explain, and nobody believes me. It's a really an ambitious project and a fabulous theatrical show."

Based on the award-winning BBC television series of the same name, "Walking With Dinosaurs" features 15 life-size roaring, snarling dinosaurs and 10 species — including T. rex, Utahraptor and the largest of them all, the brachiosaurus, which is 36 feet tall and 56 feet from nose to tail.

The immense size and scope of the show will only fit into arenas like EnergySolutions.

The production has two acts and an intermission. A character named Huxley, a paleontologist, will guide you through the 200-million-year reign of the dinosaurs. "He tells you where you are and what they did and who they ate. He's your narrator," said Faris.

Once the creatures make their entrance, a team of puppeteers and "voodoo operators" move them around the floor. "Even though you can see the animal is riding on a chassis or car, the creatures are so compelling and captivating. You can't look away from them; you watch them as characters," Faris said.

With the use of a projection screen on one end of the arena floor and the creatures, "WWD" shows dinosaurs' evolution, the climatic and tectonic earth changes, how the dinosaurs fought off predators — all leading up to a massive comet that causes their extinction.

And thanks to the help of Hollywood wizardry, they're as lifelike as possible.