Unlike Broadway’s new take on The Great Gatsby, which turns a great book into a disappointing musical, Water for Elephants takes a lesser-known novel by Sara Gruen (which served as the basis for the 2011 film) and turns it into a magnificent tuner. This fun, energetic and moving show at the Imperial is not as ambitious as Fitzgerald’s source material, but it stays true to its intent. It makes no bones about being sentimental and doesn’t condescend to the audience. Water just wants to produce water in the form of tears of sorrow and joy and it delivers. Rick Elice’s book is focused and economical while the score by the collective Pigpen Theater Co. is varied and enchanting.
Former circus veterinarian Mr. Jankowski (an emotionally vivid Gregg Edelman) reminisces about his youth under the Depression-era big top with a charismatic Grant Gustin playing his younger self. Isabelle McCalla is the gorgeous object of his affection and Paul Alexander Nolan her jealous ringmaster husband. Sara Gettelfinger, Stan Brown, Joe De Paul and Wade McCollum paint memorable portraits of supporting carny folk. All are splendid. But the big star here is the puppet version of Rosie, the elephant who moves the story. Ray Wetmore & JR Goodman and Camille Labarre are credited with the ingenious puppet design for Rosie and an entire miraculous menagerie.
Director Jessica Stone creates indelible stage pictures, particularly in the climactic stampede sequence (Bradley King’s magical lighting is particularly effective here. Kudos also to Takeshi Kata’s tent-and-train-oriented set and David Israel Reynoso’s splashy costumes.) Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll’s choreography advances the plot and defines character. Carroll is also listed with “circus design” which is totally wonderful. The chorus which includes numerous fantastic circus vets perform jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring feats. This is a spectacular show combining the best elements of the circus with musical theater.
