Lady Beverly Cohn
Entertainment Editor
Although history of the circus goes as far back as ancient Rome’s Circus Maximus, this original form of entertainment was a public spectacle featuring chariot races and athletic competitions. Through the centuries iterations appeared with the defining transition created in 1768 by an Englishman named Philip Astley who designed the performance arena as we know it today, combining equestrian with acrobatics. By the 19th Century, the circus setting included large tents and an array of animals trained to perform tricks. The 20th century gave birth to Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus which became the blueprint of the modern setting as we know it today.
Adapted by Rick Elice from Sara Gruen’s original novel, the Broadway production scored seven 2024 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. With the circus’ rich, enduring history, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS theatrically recreates this enduring, traditional form of entertainment. Originally brilliantly directed by Jessica Stone, the story takes place during the great Depression and is told through the eyes of an elderly Mr. Jankowski (Robert Tully) who was the once young boy around whom this story is told. Through his eyes, we live the adventures, struggles, and love as manifested in young Jacob Jankowski (Jake) played by Zachary Keller. Jake was studying to become a veterinarian but having lost both parents, had to drop out of his last year of school and was unable to complete his degree. Being broke and with no immediate vision for his future, he impulsively hops a moving train which houses performers from the Benzini Brothers’ Most Spectacular Show on Earth. When the train arrives at its destination, he disembarks and by and by meets August (Connor Sullivan) the stern, rather unsavory owner/ringmaster who is married to the lovely Marlena (Helen Krushinski.) On learning the young man almost graduated from veterinary school, he appoints him the circus doctor. As time goes on, an unexpected love develops between Marlena and Jake and all I can say about that, it is for good reason that she breaks her marriage vows. Other pivotal characters include Camel played by Javier Garcia, Wade played by Grant Huneycutt, Ruby Gibbs as Barbara, and Tyler West as Walter, “operator” of the adorable dog Queenie. These are the principal characters around which the story unfolds. All of the performers execute their roles with the highest degree of excellence, all belting out their songs with their trained legit voices. With Music and Lyrics by the PigPen Theatre Co.,the 21 amazing, complex production numbers, choregraphed by Jesse & Shana Carroll, are executed by the super energetic, highly-spirited principals and dancers with precision and unwavering explosive energy. Some of the numbers include the amusing “The Lion Has Got No Teeth,” “Ode to an Elephant,” and “You’ve got Nothing.”
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMADE
Being a circus, one must have animals and this element manifested with eyepopping puppetry with the puppet masters bringing to life some of the circus animals including Silver Star, the horse (Yves Artières,) and Rex the Lion, (Adam Fullick.) Rosie the elephant, designed by Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, and Camille Labarre , is a most astounding example of puppetry. Operated by Ella Huestis, Grant Huneycutt, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, and Carl Robinett, Rosie is so real that you almost forget she’s not flesh and blood. Now, what would a traveling circus be without high-wire trapeze routines and you won’t be disappointed. Designed by Shana Carroll and Antoine Boissereau, the aerial artistry moments are most exciting as we see these highly-trained acrobats perform feats right out of the Ringling Barnum and Bailey or Cirque du Soleil playbook. Their high-wire performances might make you forget that you are actually sitting in a theatre. Regarding the technical elements, Bradley King’s kaleidoscopic lighting coupled with David I. Reynoso’s candy-colored costumes, beautifully worked together drenching the stage with their creations. All this said, there’s an old show biz axiom that says: “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage.” However, in this case, despite a flawed book, and some undeveloped narrative, with the musical and acting talent on that stage, this production transcends any script weakness and delivers a powerful, entertaining theatrical experience.
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
“WATER FOR ELEPHANTS”
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Genre: Musical
Run Time: 2 hours & 20 Minutes
One intermission
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday–Thursday: 7:30pm
Friday:8:00pm
Saturday: 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Closing: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Tickets: Approx. $53-$113 (Check with Box Office)
Online: broadwayInHollywood.comor
Ticketmaster.com
In Person: Hollywood Pantages Box Office
323.468.1770
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMADE