# Water for Elephants (musical)

Water for Elephants is a musical with music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. and a book by Rick Elice. It is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Sara Gruen.
The musical opened on Broadway starring Grant Gustin on March 20, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre following previews beginning February 24. 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. The Broadway musical closed on December 8, 2024.
The musical is licensed through Broadway Licensing.

## 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. PigPen Theatre Co. announced their involvement alongside Rick Elice in 2018.

## 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 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.

### Broadway (2024)

All of the members of the Atlanta creative team returned for the Broadway production, except for Jessica Paz. 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. Kyle Selig replaced Gustin in September. The show closed on December 8, 2024, after playing 300 regular performances.
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.

## Characters and original casts

| Character | Atlanta | Broadway |
| Character | 2023 | 2024 |
| Jacob Jankowski | Ryan Vasquez | Grant Gustin |
| Mr. Jankowski | Harry Groener | Gregg Edelman |
| Marlena RackingerJune | Isabelle McCalla | Isabelle McCalla |
| August RackingerCharlie O'Brien | Bryan Fenkart | Paul Alexander Nolan |
| Camel | Stan Brown | Stan Brown |
| Walter | Joe De Paul | Joe De Paul |
| Barbara | Sara Gettelfinger | Sara Gettelfinger |
| Wade | Wade McCollum | Wade McCollum |

### Notable Broadway replacements

* Jacob: Kyle Selig

## Awards and nominations
### 2024 Broadway production

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