Water for Elephants (musical)

Water for Elephants is a musical with music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. and a book by Rick Elice.^[1][2] It is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Sara Gruen.^[3]

Water for Elephants
A New Musical
Broadway promotional poster
Music	PigPen Theatre Co.
Lyrics	PigPen Theatre Co.
Book	Rick Elice
Basis	Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Premiere	June 16, 2023 (2023-06-16): Alliance Theatre Atlanta
Productions	2023 Atlanta 2024 Broadway 2025 US Tour

The musical opened on Broadway starring Grant Gustin on March 20, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre following previews beginning February 24.^[2][4] Critical reviews were mixed, while receiving praise for its visual spectacle and production values. It received seven nominations at the 77th Tony Awards, including Best Musical.^[5] The Broadway musical closed on December 8, 2024.^[6]

The musical is licensed through Broadway Licensing.^[7]

Synopsis

Jacob Jankowski, an old man living in an assisted living home, thinks back to his youth. In 1931, after his parents were killed in a car accident, Jankowski decides to travel cross-country on the Benzini Brothers Circus train. The ringmaster, August, invites Jankowski to join the circus after learning he is a veterinarian. Soon after, August buys an elephant, Rosie, and puts Marlena, his wife, and Jacob in charge of training her. Jacob soon finds himself falling for Marlena as the two attempt to train the stubborn elephant, all the while slowly realizing August's cruelty.

Development

In 2015, Peter Schneider, Elisabetta di Mambro, Broadway Across America, and Mehr! Entertainment acquired the rights to adapt Gruen's novel into a musical.^[8] PigPen Theatre Co. announced their involvement alongside Rick Elice in 2018.^[9]

Production history

Atlanta (2023)

The musical premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 16, 2023, after previews beginning on June 7, and ran through July 9; it was directed by Jessica Stone^[10] and featured choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll; Carroll also created the show's circus designs. Sets were by Takeshi Kata, costumes by David Israel Reynoso, lighting by Bradley King, with sound by Jessica Paz. David Bengalli designed the show's projections, while Camille Labarre made the show's puppets. Daryl Waters prepared the show's orchestration.^[4]

Broadway (2024)

All of the members of the Atlanta creative team returned for the Broadway production, except for Jessica Paz.^[4] Much of the Atlanta cast would reprise their roles, with new additions including Gregg Edelman as Mr. Jankowski, Paul Alexander Nolan as August, and Grant Gustin making his Broadway debut as Jacob Jankowski. The production opened at the Imperial Theatre on March 21, 2024, after previews began on February 24.^[11] Kyle Selig replaced Gustin in September.^[12] The show closed on December 8, 2024, after playing 300 regular performances.^[6]

A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that the Broadway production would be capitalized for up to $25 million, making it likely the most expensive production of the 2023–2024 Broadway season.^[2]

Musical numbers

Act I Overture - Orchestra Prologue - Company "Anywhere/Another Train" - Jacob, Camel, Wade, Company "The Road Don't Make You Young" - Company "Easy" - Marlena "The Lion Has Got No Teeth" - August, Jacob, Company "I Choose the Ride" - Camel, Jacob, Company "Ode to an Elephant" - Mr. Jankowski, Jacob, Marlena, August "Just Our Luck" - Mr. Jankowski, Barbara, Camel, Walter, Vera, Sue "I Shouldn't Be Surprised" - Marlena, Mr. Jankowski "Silver Stars" - Jacob "The Grand Spec" - August, Company

Act II "Funny Angel" - Mr. Jankowski "Zostań" - Company "Squeaky Wheel" - Barbara, Walter, Camel, Jacob "You've Got Nothing" - August, Jacob, Marlena, Camel, Walter, Wade "What Do You Do?" - Marlena "Wild" - Marlena, Jacob "The Road Don't Make You Young (Reprise)" - Wade, Company "Go Home" - Jacob, Company "Zostań (Reprise)" - Jacob, Mr. Jankowski, Company "I Choose the Ride (Reprise)" - Company

Characters and original casts

Character	Atlanta[1][3]	Broadway[13]
	2023	2024
Jacob Jankowski	Ryan Vasquez	Grant Gustin
Mr. Jankowski	Harry Groener	Gregg Edelman
Marlena Rackinger June	Isabelle McCalla
August Rackinger Charlie O'Brien	Bryan Fenkart	Paul Alexander Nolan
Camel	Stan Brown
Walter	Joe De Paul
Barbara	Sara Gettelfinger
Wade	Wade McCollum

Notable Broadway replacements

• Jacob: Kyle Selig^[14]

Awards and nominations

2024 Broadway production

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result
2024	Tony Awards	Best Musical		Nominated
		Best Direction of a Musical	Jessica Stone	Nominated
		Best Book of a Musical	Rick Elice	Nominated
		Best Scenic Design of a Musical	Takeshi Kata	Nominated
		Best Costume Design of a Musical	David Israel Reynoso	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design of a Musical	David Bengali and Bradley King	Nominated
		Best Choreography	Shana Carroll and Jesse Robb	Nominated
	Drama League Awards	Outstanding Production of a Musical		Nominated
	Outer Critics Circle Awards	Outstanding Production of a Musical		Nominated
		Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)	Jessica Stone	Won
		Outstanding Choreography (Broadway or Off-Broadway)	Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll	Nominated
		Outstanding Lighting Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway)	Bradley King	Nominated
		Outstanding Video/Projections (Broadway or Off-Broadway)	David Bengali	Nominated
	Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards	Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)	Grant Gustin	Won
	Drama Desk Awards	Outstanding Direction of a Musical	Jessica Stone	Won
		Outstanding Choreography	Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll	Nominated
		Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical	David Israel Reynoso	Nominated
		Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical	Bradley King	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical	Walter Trarbach	Won
		Outstanding Fight Choreography	Cha Ramos	Won
		Outstanding Puppetry	Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, and Camille Labarre	Won
	Chita Rivera Awards[15]	Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show	Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll	Won
		Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show		Nominated
		Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show	Antoine Boissereau	Won

Reception

The Atlanta production received mixed reviews. ArtsATL said the show was "a triumph from a technical perspective," praising the show's set design, lighting, and projections, the lifelike puppets, choreography, and actors.^[10] However, the site felt the story "[left] a lot to be desired," with gaps in the story, unelaborated character backstories, and songs which didn't move the plot forward.^[10]