**** Highly Recommended The circus is in town! Water for Elephants is one of the most imaginative, exciting new shows I’ve seen in a long time. I was glad to see that Rick Elice’s adaptation really brought Sara Gruen’s complicated tale to life. That doesn’t always happen. Don’t miss this one! 4 BIG Spotlights
The circus performances alone are a reason to see this show. While the story unfolds, aerialists, acrobats and jugglers dazzle; clowns and amazing oversized puppet animals keep your attention.
The story is narrated by Mr. Jankowski (Walter Tully) who remembers his years with the circus. When he visits a circus, he meets the young owners, Charlie (Connor Sullivan) and June ( ), and shares his experiences in the circus with them.
Zachary Keller, Walter Tully and the cast of Water for Elephants. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Jacob Jankowski (Zachary Keller) jumped a moving train – as many people did during the Great Depression – but soon found out he’d jumped a circus train where he meets Camel (Javier Garcia), Wade (Grant Huneycutt), Walter (Tyler West) and Barbara (Ruby Gibbs). When circus owner, August (Sullivan), offered him $3.00 a week to be the circus veterinarian, he decides to stay.
Jacob’s first job, ‘cure’ Silver Star (Yves Artiéres), the horse August’s wife, Marina (Krushinski), rides in the show. Jacob jumps back when Rex, the lion (Adam Fullick), roars at him, until he learns Rex has no teeth.
Zachary Keller, Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and the cast of Water for Elephants. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Soon after, Jacob must put the horse down. In an amazing piece of puppetry and circus magic, the horse’s head remains in Marina’s lap while his spirit (Artiéres) soars toward the sky on a white ribbon.
When another circus goes under, August buys everything left, which includes an uncooperative elephant named Rosie (Ella Huestis, Grant Honeycutt, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, Carl Robinet). She takes an immediate dislike of August when he pokes her with an elephant prod. When Jacob accidentally yells stop in Polish, the elephant stops, and they learn that she only knows – and obeys – the Polish language.
Zachary Keller, Helen Krushinski & Rosie in Water for Elephants. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Also appearing: Sal (Bradley Parrish), Agnes, an orangutan (Gabriela Diaz), Sue (Yemie Woo), Vera (Zakeyia Lacey), Caretaker (John Neurohr), Nurse Rosemary (Ella Huestis), Orderly (Carl Robinet). Kinkers & Rousts: Yves Artiéres, Gabriela Diaz, Adam Fullick, Ella Huestis, Zakeyia Lacey, Jose Martinez, John Neurohr, Bradley Parrish, Carl Robinet, Serafina Walker, Yemie Woo.
Orchestra: Sarah Pool Wilhelm, Music Director/Conductor/Keyboard 1/Harmonica; Jayla McLennan, Associate Conductor/Keyboard 2; Victoria Hurlburt, Violin/Concert Master; Matthew Wifler, Reeds; Charles Parrish, Trumpet; Millisa Henderson, Guitars; Tom Mendel, Acoustic/Electric Bass; Spencer Inch, Drums/Percussion.
The cast of Water for Elephants. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Water for Elephants, based on Sara Gruen’s novel of the same name, was written by Rick Elice, score by PigPen Theatre Co. It had its world premiere in Atlanta in 2023, its Broadway premiere in 2024. It won multiple Drama Desk Awards as well as the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical and the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography. The touring production is directed by Ryan Emmons, choreographed by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll, with circus design by Shana Carroll,
Water for Elephants runs through July 5th at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes, with an intermission. Performances: Tuesday, June 30th, 7:00 pm; Wednesday, July 1st, 1:00 & 7:00 pm; Thursday, July 2nd & Friday, July 3rd, 7:00 pm; Saturday, July 4th, 1:00 & 6:30 pm; Sunday, July 5th, 1:00 pm. Tickets range from $30.00 to $130.00. FYI www.waterforelephantsthemusical.com. Tickets: www.BroadwayInChicago.com