STEP RIGHT UP

A criminally underrated musical
proves there’s more under the
big top than spectacle

The cast of Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants, based on the novel by Sara Gruen, premiered on Broadway in March 2024 and closed that December after just 300 performances. With a book by Rick Elice, music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co., and original direction by Jessica Stone, it received only lukewarm notices. I heard little about it, largely because no one I knew had seen it. Consequently, I went into the non-union Broadway tour at the Nederlander Theatre with fairly low expectations.

I was blown away.

Helen Krushinski and Zachary Keller

The musical begins in a nursing home, where an elderly Jacob (Robert Tully) begins reminiscing about his youth. From there, the story flashes back to the Great Depression, where young Jacob (Zachary Keller), a veterinary student, finds work caring for animals at the Benzini Brothers’ “Most Spectacular Show on Earth.” There, he falls in love with the one person he shouldn’t: the ringmaster’s wife, Marlena (Helen Krushinski).

Helen Krushinski and Zachary Keller

Their tender romance unfolds under the darkening shadow of the volatile ringmaster, August (Connor Sullivan), whose red-hot temper erupts in violence toward both the animals and the circus workers whenever he can’t take out his rage on Marlena. While the book stumbles a little—particularly in Act II, where the payoff falls flat—the production never does. Director Ryan Emmons faithfully recreates Jessica Stone’s original staging, while Shana Carroll‘s circus design and a superb cast deliver something truly spectacular.

Zachary Keller and the cast of Water for Elephants

The circus performances never feel like mere spectacle; they always serve the story. Yves Artieres soars as Silver Star, a horse, on aerial silks, accompanied by Krushinski singing “Easy,” one of the musical’s highlights. Kayden Woodridge performs a series of astonishing circus feats, including holding himself perpendicular to a tent pole as it is hoisted high above the stage.

Helen Krushinski, Robert Tully, Zachary Keller, and Yves Artieres

The production boasts wonderfully inventive puppetry, designed by Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, and Camille LaBarre, with puppet direction by Joshua Holden. Their work, together with the puppeteers, brings the circus animals vividly to life. Tyler West is another standout, contributing delightfully funny clown work as Walter.

Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski

PigPen Theatre Co.’s score beautifully complements the story. Blending bluegrass with a classic musical theatre sound, it gives the musical a distinctive musical identity. Additional standout numbers include the ensemble piece, “The Road Don’t Make You Young,” and the soaring romantic duet, “Wild.” I highly recommend giving the original Broadway cast recording a listen.

Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and Zachary Keller

Even more, I recommend seeing this criminally underrated musical while it’s at the Nederlander. No, it isn’t structurally perfect—someone really should fix that climax—but it reminds us what musicals do better than any other art form. Through circus arts, puppetry, music, and movement, it creates theatrical magic that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. It’s a spectacle, yes—but it’s also a spectacle with story, heart, and genuine emotional payoff. That’s more than enough for me.

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photos by Matthew Murphy

Water for Elephants
Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. in Chicago
2 hours, 35 minutes with intermission
Tues–Fri at 7; Sat at 2 & 7:30; Sun at 1 & 6:30
ends on July 5, 2026 in Chicago
for tickets ($39–$130), call 312.977.1717 or visit Broadway In Chicago
tour continues; for dates and cities, visit Water for Elephants

for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago

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