The Fourth Walsh

Broadway in Chicago presents WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.

Jacob ran away to the circus in his youth. As an old man, he reflects on those years traveling the country. After his parents were killed in a car crash, he lost everything. Jacob hopped a circus train trying to escape his grief and the Depression. When he meets Marlena and an elephant named Rosie, everything changes! Mr. Jankowski’s memories are bittersweet as he recalls both the camaraderie of kinkers (circus folk) and cruelty to animals under the Big Top.

   Although not a true story, Novelist Sara Gruen based her bestseller on extensive research of American traveling circuses during the 1920s and 1930s. She tells her tales of life on the road in hindsight from an aging veterinarian’s perspective. Playwright Rick Elice (book) creatively adapted her authentic story for the stage. He keeps the memoir hazy with Mr. Janokowski (Robert Tully) ever present. Sometimes, Tully is observing his younger self (Zachary Keller) from the sidelines. Other times, he talks directly with present day kinkers, Helen Krushinski (June) and Connor Sullivan (Charlie) before they slip back thru time to become Marlena and August. The effect keeps the audience tethered to the nostalgic story tempered with hints of regret.

The music and lyrics are by PigPen Theatre Co. The Americana score mingles wistful ballads like “Easy” and “Wild” with the upbeat folksy tunes of “The Road Don’t Make You Young.” The eclectic songs drive the fluid movement of circus meets musical. Krushninski sings a soothing and beautiful “Easy” as John Neurohr sheds his horse head to elegantly twirl on silks. In dual roles, Shannon Carroll serves as circus designer and co-choreographer with Jesse Robb. Their collaboration levels up large musical numbers by incorporating aerial acrobatics and athletic stunts. Add in Puppet Designers Ray Wetmore & JB Goodman and Camille LaBarre’s vibrant creations, the effect is mesmerizing! One of the final scenes told with blackouts is unforgettable.      

Under the masterful direction of Jessica Stone, the talented designers and performers put on a dynamic spectacle. In the leads, Keller and Krushinski have magnetic chemistry. As they work together to train an elephant, their attraction for each other starts to stir up trouble. Ruby Gibbs, Javier Garcia and Grant Huneycutt reprimand Keller’s forbidden love in the amusing song, “Squeaky Wheel.” The show is bursting in winsome fellowship with terrific entertainers. The charismatic Sullivan commands the stage as ringmaster. While he plays straight man to Tyler West (Walter)’s hilarious clown routine, his Machiavellian persona is apparent under his carefree smile.    

This show has everything… sizzling romance, dramatic tension, slapstick comedy, physical artistry, breathtaking feats and imaginative puppets. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a show of shows!

Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes includes an intermission

At James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph

Based on the novel by Sara Gruen

Adapted by Rick Elice

Music & Lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co.

Directed by Jessica Stone

Music Supervision by Benedict Braxton-Smith

Choreography by Jesse Robb & Shannon Carroll

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7pm

Wednesdays at 1pm and 7pm

Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm

Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm

Thru July 5

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

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