It was announced today that the new musical Water for Elephants will open on Broadway this spring. The musical, based on Sara Gruen’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, will begin performances on February 24, 2024, ahead of an opening night on March 21, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre.
Water for Elephants features a book by three-time Tony Award nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher), a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux), and direction by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo). The new musical unites innovative stagecraft with the very best of Broadway talent in an authentic and deeply moving new musical that invites us all to give ourselves to the unknown.
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
The musical had its world premiere in Atlanta on The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre earlier this summer with a cast led by Isabelle McCalla and Ryan Vasquez. Casting for the Broadway production has yet to be announced.
Water for Elephants features circus design by Shana Carroll (The 7 Fingers), choreography by Jesse Robb (Miss Saigon) and Shana Carroll, scenic design by Drama Desk Award winner Takeshi Kata(Clyde’s), costume design by David Israel Reynoso (Sleep No More), lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (Hadestown), sound design by Tony Award nominee Walter Trarbach(Spongebob Squarepants), projections by David Bengali (The Thanksgiving Play), hair & makeup design by Campbell Young Associates (A Beautiful Noise), puppetry design by Camille Labarre (Into the Woods), music supervision and arrangements by Drama Desk Award winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Some Like It Hot) and Benedict Braxton-Smith (Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls), orchestrations by Tony Award winner Daryl Waters (New York, New York), production stage management by Timothy R. Semon (Company), and casting by Tara Rubin Casting.
Tickets for Water for Elephants go on sale Wednesday, September 13.