In a time of adaptations and stories living in different mediums and forms, one must ask themselves why this story; in this form. Why not just go watch the movie or read the book?
Why give this story another life. But through the brilliant collaboration of iconic creatives and cast, Water for Elephants makes a compelling argument for its live action musical existence.
Based off of the New York Times Bestselling Novel by Sara Gruen, the story follows Jacob Jankowski as he recounts his past, from how he responds to the traumatic loss of his family, to stumbling upon the traveling circus group the Benzini Bros– a struggling circus group during Prohibition times. As he seeks some sort of comfort and home, he finds himself as The Bensini Bro’s new Vet. While in the group he finds a new life purpose, in his passions and in love. But it can’t be that easy, since the woman he falls for is the wife of the Ringmaster. As they try to find success in a competitive market, they find a new attraction that brings them success, but what is success without love?
This new musical’s book was written by three-time Tony Award nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher), and a score by PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux) directed by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo). The collaboration from this artistic team is one of pure wonder and makes you feel more than just “something.”
We open the story with a stark auditory transition from NYC Broadway theater to traveling Circus, bringing us into this defined container of movement along with a shared physical language from the ensemble. Creating an almost hypnotic vocal scoring that zapped us into Stone’s famous world. We are left with Jacob Jankowski (Gregg Edelman) wandering and admiring a world he once similarly lived in after sneaking off to watch a circus performance. Two performers then find him and take a moment to hear his story.
Jacob flashes us back to 1931 after young Jacob Jankowski (Grant Gustin) attempts to find solace and grounding after the discovery of his parents’ unexpected death. Seeking the closest thing to an escape, he jumps onto a train car with Camel and Wade (Stan Brown and Wade McCollum). The two welcome a chance for him to have a sliver of belonging amongst this crew. 
His first day on site, he witnesses teamwork and family that only comes with the community of a circus traveling group. Jacob then catches the star performer Marlena, (Isabelle McCalla) and in an instant, we see him fall in love in many ways. From falling back in love with his passion for helping animals, and falling in love with someone he never expected to meet. But quickly he finds that she is already married to August Rosenbluth, the Ringmaster (Paul Alexander Nolan). Thus he can only pursue one of his career based love; helping the animals of the circus.
Quickly we find the state of the animals is one in need of a specialist to help since many of them are overworked or sick. Like Marlena’s beloved horse, who has been worked to the bone and thus too ill to recover. Thus one of the main attractions of the circus falls, and so does the heart of Marlena. But as fate would have it, a new star gets recruited to the show: Rosie the elephant. Through trial and error, the team finds a way to communicate with Rosie to create a truly spectacular show— a show that’ll make you “feel something.”
The creative team–Back row (L to R):JesseRobb, Rick Elice, Ben Ferguson, Curtis Gillen, Matt Neurnberger, Dan Weschler Frontrow (L to R):Shana Carroll, Alex Falberg, Jessica Stone, Ryan Melia, Arya Shahi, Sara Gruen. Photo by Evan Zimmerman and Tyler Gustin
One might assume this story is tired and over-familiarized, but the artistic team of this musical truly convinced me that this show deserves to be witnessed on stage. First of all, the technical elements that were used to accentuate the story were clean and effective and some would call it magical. From minimalist set pieces and props that transformed into maximalist settings at the switch of light, to costumes and puppets that are in the realm of such iconic shows like Lion King, to using sound throughout the space to feel as if the show and the moments encompass the audience. The use of this almost binaural sound technique makes you feel fully immersed in this world.
The next thing I would like to note is the collaborative trust and language shared amongst the actors and the creative team. Everyone was of the world and spoke the same language: in movement and in what they saw versus what the audience sees. So many visual moments supported by the physicality of the performers, from the unified movement that would make a cart on wheels look like a moving freight train to the wow factor that came when they put on sparkly costume pieces and suddenly transformed into lavish circus animals. Not to mention the absolute brilliance of the acrobatic dancers that perform sequences and skills that truly leave you in awe and slack jawed.
Finally touching upon the iconic characters in this story. Gustin’s performance provided a through line to each actor that let their skills shine. And McCalla revealed triple threat skills while capturing our hearts. Not to mention Nolan’s ability to charm yet disgust from charming us into his circus to forcing life changing ultimatums amongst his employees. Then Edelman popping in and out of his memories and reality aided the audience to witness the merging of these two timelines; thus reminding us how sometimes folks not only hope to “feel something” but need to “feel something.”
Water for Elephants began previews on February 24, 2024, and officially opened March 21, 2024 at the Imperial Theatre. Production Photos by Matthew Murphey.
