Broadway In Chicago: Water For Elephants
Zachary Keller and ensemble
Broadway in Chicago Presents WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Review - Two Parts of One Whole
TLDR: Taking the book that became a movie and now bringing it to the stage, Water for Elephants follows runaway Jacob Jankowski as he becomes the vet for the Benzini Brothers circus. Part love story, part self-reflection, part actual circus, Water for Elephants hits the mark for a circus spectacular and dramatic play.
The cast of Water for Elephants
Building the Big Top Piece By Piece
Show posters proclaiming the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth decorate the proscenium of the stage while a thick, blue, velvet curtain stands between us and the circus that’s about to unfold.
Jacob Jankowski (Zachary Keller) jumps onto a ladder suspended in the middle of the stage and he finds himself climbing on top of a rumbling train car filled with performers, workmen, and other various carnies alike. They’re on their way out to the East Coast for their next round of stops. When they land at their destination, the entire ensemble comes to life as they set to work setting up their big top tent.
Building the tent turns into an acrobatic feat. When the center pole is raised, one of our gymnast ensemble members is still hanging on to it. He finds himself at the top of the pole and gracefully slides back down, catching himself before he reaches the bottom. Another finds herself in a standoff against clown Walter, played by Tyler West, as they turn cartwheel after cartwheel, she herself turning at least six in a row.
Here underneath the newly constructed big top, we’re treated to the musical adaptation of Water for Elephants. One man’s journey of self-discovery turned love triangle turned story for the ages.
The Circus is in Town
Every member of the ensemble is a triple threat as they sing, dance, and perform their specialized circus acts. When the ringmaster welcomes us at their latest stop, the curtain rises and the ensemble enters in their full carnival regalia. They perform their acts like they’re performing at the actual circus.
Then at other times, the acrobats are used in scene transitions or become part of the menagerie of the traveling circus. Yves Artieres raises his arm with the head of a white stallion puppet, greets Marlena, and dances above the stage with aerial ribbons as the horse, Silver Star. As they attempt to train their newly purchased elephant, Rosie, she is revealed one puppet piece at a time - a trunk moving from behind a curtain to drink from a bucket of whiskey, or four ensemble members carry and move each leg until the moment we get the full Rosie reveal. The cast never stops moving as they become whatever they need to for each new scene.
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski
Reflections Of A Past Life
Framed as older Jacob revisiting his old days with the Benzini Brothers circus, his older self tells his story of traveling with the circus in the 1930s. As we make our way back in time, we’re taken into the drama at the circus that causes our actors to dig deep.
Lead actor Zachary Keller as young Jacob sings atop the moving railway car as he runs away from his recent life tragedy. He makes us believe he’s carrying that weight with him and is haunted, but trying his best to keep moving forward.
Helen Krushinski as Marlena sits in bed late at night against a twinkling night sky. She sings about looking back on her dreams to be free and run away with the circus. Krushinski shows a gentle but formidable force as Marlena works and trains each of the animals in her acts.
And unexpectedly, Grant Huneycutt as Wade, the gruff and unforgiving foreman of the circus, surprises us all as he belts out “You’ve Got Nothing” with a twang reminiscent of Chris Stapleton.
These are the three that give powerhouse performances that are striking as we see them fighting against what feels like the walls closing in.
Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and Zachary Keller
The After Party Thoughts
To me there were two conflicting ideas that Water for Elephants hasn’t quite managed to bring together. There’s the theme of reflections as our characters remember what brought them to this point. And alongside that you’ve got a circus show going on. It felt like at times we’re trying to have a serious moment but move on quickly and it’s cue the “March of the Gladiators” and send in the clowns.
But looking at these two pieces separately, the cast is talented in all aspects from singing the score to the acrobats and aerialists effortlessly contorting above the stage. They do create this fantastic circus spectacle. It’s been a minute since I’ve read the book or seen the movie, so I wouldn’t be the right person to ask if this adaptation holds a candle to either of them. But the general story is there and if you love a messy love triangle, animal puppetry, and feeling like you’re at the circus, then Water for Elephants would be a good fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
The cast of Water for Elephants
When
Now through July 5, 2026
Where
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including intermission
Tickets
$39+
Tickets can be purchased through the Broadway in Chicago website
Photos
Matthew Murphy
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Helen Krushinski and Zachary Keller
CAST
Zachary Keller (Jacob)
Helen Krushinski (Marlena)
Robert Tully (Mr. Jankowski)
Connor Sullivan (August)
Javier Garcia (Camel)
Ruby Gibbs (Barbara)
Chris Marth (Wade)
Tyler West (Walter)
Fran Alvarez Jara (Ensemble)
Yves Artieres (Ensemble)
Chris Carsten (Ensemble)
Adam Fullick (Ensemble)
Meghane Poulet (Ensemble)
Ella Huestis (Ensemble)
Sam Kellar-Long (Ensemble)
ZaKeyia Lacey (Ensemble)
Andrew Meier (Ensemble)
Marina Mendoza (Ensemble)
John Neurohr (Ensemble)
Bradley Parrish (Ensemble)
Carl Robinett (Ensemble)
Summer Severin (Ensemble)
Serafina Walker (Ensemble)
Yemie Woo (Ensemble)
Helen Krushinski, Robert Tully, Zachary Keller, and Yves Artieres
CREATIVE
Sara Gruen (Novel Author)
Rick Elice (Book)
PigPen Theatre Co. (Music and Lyrics)
Jessica Stone (Original Director)
Ryan Emmons (Tour Director)
Shana Carroll (Circus Designer / Choreographer)
Jesse Robb (Choreographer)
Takeshi Kata (Scenic Designer)
David I. Reynoso (Costume Designer)
Bradley King (Lighting Designer)
Walter Trarbach (Sound Designer)
David Bengali (Projection Designer)
Luc Verschueren / Campbell Young Associates (Hair & Makeup Design)
Ray Wetmore (Puppet Designer)
JR Goodman (Puppet Designer)
Camille Labarre (Puppet Designer)
Joshua Holden (Puppet Director)
Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Music Supervisor / Arrangements)
Benedict Braxton-Smith (Music Supervisor / Arrangements / Orchestrations)
Daryl Waters (Orchestrations)
August Eriksmoen (Orchestrations)
Cha Ramos (Fight Director)
Antoine Boissereau (Associate Circus Designer)
Paige Parkhill (Associate Choreographer)
Kathleen Carragee (Production Stage Manager)
Maris Keller (Stage Manager)
Stan Barile (Circus Stage Manager)
Heather Moss (Company Manager)
Taylor Parris (Associate Company Manager)
Sarah Wilhelm Pool (Tour Music Director / Conductor)
Mimi Intagliata (Executive Producer)