“Water for Elephants,” a new musical based on the novel by Sara Gruen, will touch your soul. This has a devastatingly powerful book by Rick Elice and gripping music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. Jessica Stone’s direction is captivating to watch.
The audience sees the life lived by circus performers, both human and animal. On the animal side, we see the neglect, abuse, and cruelty that is shown to them by the circus owner and ringmaster, August.
The audience learns about this circus from an older Mr. Jankowski, who is talking about his old days traveling with the circus as a vet for the animals. We meet the young Jacob Jankowski and see a story that has so much heart and love, we get overtaken with emotion. There is also so much truth about the mistreatment of animals by the circus.
This is an industry where the only thing that can matter to the owner is the gate. Whatever it takes for money to be made is his priority. August also discards his circus staff like garbage. He treats his wife Marlena like property and does not hesitate to physically abuse her when he feels like it. In this circus life, you also find that people who have been with the circus for years—Camel and Walter—definitely don’t have job security and even their lives are at risk.
“Water for Elephants” has some of the most original, charming, and detailed puppetry and masks you will see on Broadway. Acrobats perform as animals like horses and grab hold of your heart as they soar in the air. The acrobats in this musical are more than you would expect to see on a Broadway stage. They are magnificent! “Water for Elephants” has such a great feel of the fun side of circus, while also showing you the horror.
This cast is extraordinary. Gregg Edelman is stunning as the older Mr. Jankowski, who has seen, loved, and suffered so much. Grant Gustin is fabulous as young Jacob Jankowski. The chemistry between him and Isabella McCalla as Marlena is gorgeous.
Paul Alexander Nolan is quite memorable as the cruel, power- and money-hungry ringmaster August.
Stan Brown is poignant as Camel, an older man working for the circus who knows the insecurity of his position, but realizes that it is all he has. Joe De Paul is feisty and funny as Walter the clown. Sara Gettelfinger is caring and touching as Barbara. Wade McCollum is stunning as Wade, who has to do the owner’s dirty work.
“Water for Elephants” features a huge cast, filled with acrobats, puppeteers, and people in animal costumes. The choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll is beautiful, and the circus design by Shana Carroll definitely works well. This musical has marvelous scenic design by Takeshi Kata; costume design by David Israel Reynoso; lighting design by Bradley King; sound design by Walter Tarbach; projection design by David Bengali; tremendous puppet design by Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, and Camille Labarre; and orchestrations by Daryl Waters, Benedict Braxton-Smith, and August Ericksmoen, with music direction by Elizabeth Doran.
“Water for Elephants” will quench your thirst for great theater!
For more info, visit www.waterforelephantsthemusical.com.