Water for Elephants: A Feast for the Senses

By Mingsi Ma

Water for Elephants is a no-doubt true showstopper, and I find it hard to select a single aspect to praise because there are so many stunners throughout the performance. First premiered in the Alliance Theatre (Atlanta) in 2023, then as a Broadway musical in 2024, it has been on its national tour since 2025 and is now performing in Pittsburgh as part of the Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. As a touring production, it no doubt feels extremely polished and neat. The meticulousness enables the production’s complexity, allowing the large ensembles of actors, acrobats, aerialists, and puppeteers to create thrilling moments on stage and maintain the sheer coordination needed to make them happen aesthetically and safely. The performance is full of dazzle and a maximalist aesthetic, with every moment feeling “full,” if not “fullest,” with the set design, lighting, puppetry, choreography, singing, and so much more. The fun of the performance lies in the spectacle’s nonstop sequences.

Based on Sara Gruen’s historical romance novel set against the Great Depression, the story unfolds as a lost young man and vet student, Jacob Jankowski, hops on a train that turns out to be the traveling Benzini Brothers Circus. Jacob gets an unexpected job offer as the circus’s veterinarian. He falls in love with the ringmaster’s wife, Marlena, as they take care of the circus’s star elephant Rosie while navigating the abusive working environment at the circus.

Even knowing the story is set during the Great Depression, I’m not a fan of the dull color palette at the very beginning of the performance, when Jacob first hops on the train – the performers’ outfits, lighting, and backdrop all blending into a grey, low-saturation swamp that makes it hard to find a visual focal point. Still, the subdued opening quickly gives way to goosebumps. Like a kaleidoscope, Water for Elephants spins into electrifying motion.

The circus performers leave the audience in awe: They climb the rope, hang suspended as they spin, and drop with breathtaking suddenness. They lift and hold one another overhead, stacking into human towers. The choreography by co-choreographers and circus designer Shana Carroll and co-choreographer Jesse Robb delivers one surprise after another. I can hear myself gasp and feel myself tensing up as the performers execute many thrilling (and scary) tricks perfectly.

Water for Elephants has a fast pace and lots of visual interest, yet still leaves sufficient room to balance the spectacle with more subtle emotional exploration. Actress Helen Krushinski, a Pittsburgh native, played Marlena, whose voice is so clean, unembellished yet luminous, crisp as a green apple in summer. As she sings “Easy”, her very sick horse, Silver Star, gently lies in her arms as a puppet. Next to Marlena, Circus artist Yves Artières hangs in the air, gracefully using movements to signal the struggling soul of the poor horse. He drops from the air and crawls at Marlena’s feet, giving out the last piece of devotion to his dearest caretaker.

The cast of Water For Elephants (Image by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski (Image by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Another notable emotional scene takes place when Jacob, played by Zachary Keller, struggles against the abusive reality of the circus. Bradley King’s lighting design cleverly casts red light on Jacob as he stands among the circus members. The intense red hue creates a sense of distortion between reality and Jacob’s perception of the ringmaster’s brutal treatment of others, filled with his anger, confusion, and frustration.

The original director, Jessica Stone, embeds other fascinating theatrical treatments. Like many other animals in this play, Rosie the elephant is portrayed using puppetry designed by Joshua Holden. Surprisingly, Rosie is represented only by her nose, legs, ears, or shadow at the beginning, but never as a whole. Only when Jacob and Marlena manage to gain her trust with the right training cue do they reveal Rosie in full. I find that incredibly brilliant: building anticipation gradually and leaving the audience fully captivated as she finally appears, with her big, mesmerizing eyes.

Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and Zachary Keller (Image by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

I shall also mention that the casting is successful. Connor Sullivan’s August is the classic villain, while Javier Garcia, who plays Camel, has an impressive voice and strong command of musical speaking, along with fine rhythm and accentuation. Playing Walter, Tyler West’s physical comedy dominates the room and adds so much joy on stage.

If you’re looking for a maximalist Broadway spectacle, Water for Elephants is here for you. It is both a feast for the senses and a heart-touching journey.

TICKETS AND DETAILS

Water for Elephants, presented by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh, is on stage at the Benedum Center through April 5, 2026, at the Benedum Center. Learn more at https://trustarts.org/production/100748/water-for-elephants