| 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: Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia |
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]
It is scheduled to premiere on Broadway on March 21, 2024, following previews beginning February 24.[2][4]
Premise
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 a train, where he meets the Benzini Brothers Circus. The ringmaster, August, invites Jankowski to join the circus after learning he is a veterinarian. Soon after, the ringmaster buys an elephant, Rosie, and puts Marlena, his wife, and Jankowski in charge of training her. Jankowski 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.[5]
Production history
Atlanta (2023)
In March 2023, the Atlanta production announced Water for Elephants would premiere at the Alliance Theatre on June 16, 2023, after previews beginning on June 7, and would run through July 9.[6]
The Atlanta production was directed by Jessica Stone[7] and featured choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll; Carroll also did the show's circus designs. Sets were by Takeshi Kata, costumes by David Israel Reynoso, lighting by Bradley King, and sound by Walter Trarbach. David Bengalli designed the show's projections, while Camille Labarre made the show's puppets. Hair and makeup were done by Campbell Young Associates. The music was surpervised and arranged by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-Smith, with Daryl Waters doing the show's orchestration. Timothy R. Semon served as the production stage manager.[4]
Broadway (2024)
All of the members of the Atlanta creative team, except for Walter Trarbach, plan to work on the Broadway production as well.[4]
In September 2023, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that the Broadway production would be capitalized for up to $25 million. A budget of that size would likely make it the most expensive production of the 2023-2024 Broadway season.[2]
Cast
| Character | Atlanta[1][3] |
|---|---|
| 2023 | |
| Jacob Jankowski | Ryan Vasquez |
| Marlena | Isabelle McCalla |
| Camel | Stan Brown |
| Walter | Joe De Paul |
| Barbara | Sara Gettelfinger |
| Wade | Wade McCollum |
| Mr. Jankowski | Harry Groener |
| August | Bryan Fenkart |
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.[7] 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.[7]
References
- 1 2 Rosky, Nicole. "What We Know So Far About the WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Musical". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- 1 2 3 Paulson, Michael (2023-09-12). "'Water for Elephants' Musical to Arrive on Broadway Next Spring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- 1 2 Culwell-Block, Logan (November 3, 2023). "Grant Gustin, Isabelle McCalla, More Will Star in Water for Elephants on Broadway". Playbill.
- 1 2 3 Culwell-Block, Logan (September 12, 2023). "Water For Elephants Musical Sets 2024 Broadway Bow". Playbill. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ↑ Lee, Ashley (2015-01-26). "'Water for Elephants' Musical Eyes Broadway". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ↑ Fierberg, Ruthie (March 22, 2023). "Broadway-Aimed Water for Elephants Musical Announces Premiere, Cast and Creative Team". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- 1 2 3 Smith, Kelundra (2023-06-21). "Review: Alliance's "Water for Elephants" brings more circus to stage than story". ARTS ATL. Retrieved 2023-11-25.