The Greatest Show on Earth

Water for Elephants

Jacob Jankowski, an elderly gentleman living in a senior citizens home, sneaks out alone to visit the circus that’s come to town. After the show ends, Mr. Jankowski befriends a couple of the big top employees, sharing with them that, in his youth, he was the veterinarian with the Benzini Brothers traveling circus. Then, magically, the musical travels back to Depression Era America, where a younger Jacob Jankowski hops a train going somewhere, anywhere. He just wants to leave behind the tragedy that’s befallen his family and him, after both his parents are suddenly killed in an automobile accident and the bank has foreclosed on their house. Having recently finished veterinary school and with nowhere to go, Jacob just wants to leave his sadness and tragedy behind. Hoping to start anew, the young man begins working as a big top roustabout, but is eventually promoted to circus veterinarian. Soon the thrills and chills of the greatest show on earth take stage. 

Through a number of gorgeous, heartfelt performances and a pleasant, folk-pop score that blends blues with bluegrass music, and lyrics, composed by Pigpen Theatre Co., this musical, written by four-time Tony nominee, Rick Elice, has so much to offer. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS overflows the stage with its extraordinary, thrilling and heart-stopping acrobatic circus design and choreography, co-created by Shana Carroll and Jesse Robb. It also features some brilliantly creative puppetry, designed by Ray Wetmore & JR Goodman and Camille LaBarre, that creates all the life-sized circus animals. Roosevelt University alum and Puppetry Director, Joshua Holden, has instructed the ensemble how to bring the animals to life. The plot seamlessly fluctuates between modern day and the 1930’s, ably directed by Jessica Stone, (KIMBERLY AKIMBO) with musical direction by Sarah Pool Wilhelm (COME FROM AWAY), who also conducts the pleasing pit orchestra. Based upon the 2006 bestselling novel by Sara Gruen, this National Tour is a faithful facsimile of the original, 2024 Broadway production, which earned seven Tony nominations.

The musical follows a life in the circus for young veterinarian, Jacob Jankowski (played with sensitivity and excellent vocal and choreographic skills by Zachary Keller).The plot is interspersed with older Mr. Jankowski (a moving performance by Robert Tully), as his memories of circus life flood his mind. Jacob is a gentle, empathetic young man who cares deeply about the animals. He soon meets his soul mate, Marlena (beautiful, talented and graceful artist, Helen Krushinski), who works with the big animals. Unfortunately, although the two fall in love, she’s married to August, (a villainous Connor Sullivan) the sadistic and jealous ringmaster and owner of the circus. Jacob learns how to fit into circus society from physically challenged roust, Camel (a wonderful and likable Javier Garcia), Walter (delightfully played by comic, Tyler West) and hootchy-kootchy dancer, Barbara (portrayed by sensuous belter, Ruby Gibbs). But August’s righthand man, Wade (a powerful performance by Grant Huneycutt), is continually finding fault with Jacob and challenging his skill with the animals.

In addition to the magnificent acrobatics and choreography performed by the multitalented company of Klinkers (performers) and Routs (workers), it’s the animals who steal this show. The white horse, the lion, the baboon, the giraffe and, most particularly, Rosie the Elephant, find a place in every theatergoer’s heart. Many of the animal puppets are represented only by their heads affixed to the bodies of the actors. Rosie, however, appears at first in pieces. We see her as ears,  then her trunk and her legs, and finally as an unmistakable silhouette. But when Rosie the Elephant finally shows up in full during “The Grand Spec,” the finale of Act I, the buildup was well worth the wait.

The score is serviceable, but not particularly memorable. It features songs that mostly just help move the plot. They include“The Road Don’t Make You Young,” “The Lion Has Got No Teeth,” “Zostan” and “I Choose the Ride.” Lovely Marlena, however, sings a heartrending ballad entitled “Easy,” to soothe her dying horse, Silver Star (made heartbreakingly human by circus performer, Yves Artieres) as he sadly passes away. It’s one of several dark and especially tearful moments in this poignant story.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is impressive for how it faithfully brings Sara Gruen’s beloved novel to life. All the beloved characters from her book are there. Director Jessica Stone has nicely guided her talented cast and brought all the color and spectacle of the big top to the stage. Although audiences probably won’t leave the theatre humming the songs, it’s the animals and the gravity-defying performances by a gifted ensemble of performers who sing, dance, flip and dangle high above the stage that provide the thrills and chills of the greatest show on earth. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 23-July 5 by Broadway in Chicago at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all BIC box offices, at all Ticketmaster retail locations, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Further information about this and other area productions ican be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.