Broadway's Water for Elephants has announced it will launch a Tent Talkback Series beginning August 13. The post-performance talkbacks from members of the musical's cast and creative team will highlight different elements of the show.
Talkbacks will focus on acrobatics/choreography August 13, puppetry August 20, scenic and lighting design August 27, the musical's book September 3, costume design September 10, and elephant conservation September 17. All audience members are welcome to stay after the show.
Water for Elephants officially opened March 21 at the Imperial Theatre. The high-flying musical adaptation began previews February 24. Based on Sara Gruen's acclaimed novel, Water for Elephants features a book by Rick Elice (Peter and the Starcatcher) and music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux). Tony nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) directs.
The cast currently features Grant Gustin (The Flash, Glee) in his Broadway debut as Jacob Jankowski, alongside Isabelle McCalla (Shucked) as Marlena. Joining them are Gregg Edelman (City of Angels) as Mr. Jankowski, Paul Alexander Nolan (Parade) as August, Stan Brown (Homicide: Life in the Streets) as Camel, Joe De Paul (Cirque du Soleil's Dralion) as Walter, Sara Gettelfinger (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Barbara, and Wade McCollum (Wicked) as Wade.
The company is completed by Brandon Block, Antoine Boissereau, Rachael Boyd, Paul Castree, Ken Wulf Clark, Taylor Colleton, Gabriel Olivera de Paula Costa, Isabella Luisa Diaz, Samantha Gershman, Keaton Hentoff-Killian, Nicolas Jelmoni, Caroline Kane, Harley McLeish, Michael Mendez, Samuel Renaud, Marissa Rosen, Alexandra Gaelle Royer, Asa Somers, Charles South, Sean Stack, Matthew Varvar, and Michelle West.
Water for Elephants made its world premiere at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in summer 2023. The work tells the story of a man who runs away from his life, only to find himself caught up in a traveling circus. This stage musical follows a 2011 film adaptation of the novel starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz.
The production includes circus design by Shana Carroll, who also co-choreographs with Jesse Robb. Also on the creative team are scenic designer Takeshi Kata, costume designer David Israel Reynoso, lighting designer Bradley King, sound designer Walter Trarbach, projection designer David Bengali, hair and makeup designer Campbell Young Associates, music supervisor and arranger Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-Smith, and orchestrator Daryl Waters. Puppetry design is by Ray Wetmore (Spamalot) and JR Goodman (Gutenberg!) alongside Camille Labarre (Into the Woods). Elizabeth Doran is music director, and Cha Ramos provides fight direction. Timothy R. Semon is the production stage manager.
Visit WaterForElephantsTheMusical.com for a fill list of talkback speakers.
Paul Alexander Nolan, Isabelle McCalla, and Grant Gustin in Water for Elephants
Marissa Rosen, Gregg Edelman, Taylor Colleton, Sara Gettelfinger, Joe De Paul, and Stan Brown
The cast of Water for Elephants
The cast of Water for Elephants
The cast of Water for Elephants
Paul Alexander Nolan and the cast of Water for Elephants
Isabelle McCalla and Grant Gustin in Water for Elephants
Grant Gustin and the cast of Water for Elephants
Paul Alexander Nolan, Isabelle McCalla, and Grant Gustin in Water for Elephants
Marissa Rosen, Gregg Edelman, Taylor Colleton, Sara Gettelfinger, Joe De Paul, and Stan Brown
The cast of Water for Elephants
The cast of Water for Elephants
The cast of Water for Elephants
Paul Alexander Nolan and the cast of Water for Elephants
Isabelle McCalla and Grant Gustin in Water for Elephants
Grant Gustin and the cast of Water for Elephants
