Water for Elephants at Ohio Theatre
Dates: 6/9/2026 - 6/14/2026
📍 Theatre: Ohio Theatre
39 East State Street
Columbus, OH 43215
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The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to vivid life on Broadway in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical.
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.
Directed by Tony Award®️ nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher) adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co., WATER FOR ELEPHANTS 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.
Directed by Tony Award®️ nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher) adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co., WATER FOR ELEPHANTS 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.
Authors
News About Water for Elephants at Ohio Theatre
Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Ohio Theatre - A Spectacle in Search of a Soul
June 10, 2026 Based on Sara Gruen’s beloved 1932 novel - and its 2011 film adaptation, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a technical triumph wrapped around a dramatically uneven musical. Directed by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher), and score by PigPen Theatre Co., WATER FOR ELEPHANTS leans heavily into spectacle over storytelling: aerial silks, acrobatics, puppetry, and constant physical motion that dominate the stage. However, this spectacle overwhelms the story rather than serving it, resulting unfortunately in a flop under the big top.
Interview: Costume Designer David I. Reynoso of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Ohio Theatre
June 08, 2026 Set and costume designer David I. Reynoso thought his chances for making it on Broadway greatly diminished after moving 2,400 miles away from New York City.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Comes To Columbus June, 2026
November 10, 2025 The North American tour of the critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, hailed as a Critic's Pick by The New York Times, is coming to the Ohio Theatre June 9-14, 2025.
Feature: CAPA PREVIEW at Ohio Theatre
April 08, 2025 “We couldn’t be more excited to share this new season with all our loyal Broadway fans. The season really does represent the last several years of Broadway at its best, freshest, and most creative, alongside two beloved classics.” CAPA President Chad WhittingtonAbout the Theatre
Ohio Theatre Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at Ohio Theatre?
The Great Gatsby (07/08/26-07/08/26)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (07/09/26-07/10/26)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (07/11/26-07/12/26)
Romancing the Stone (07/15/26-07/16/26)
Silence of the Lambs (07/17/26-07/17/26)
South Pacific (07/18/26-07/19/26)
Coal Miner's Daughter (07/22/26-07/22/26)
Roman Holiday (07/23/26-07/24/26)
Some Like It Hot (07/25/26-07/26/26)
Shall We Dance (07/29/26-07/29/26)
Forbidden Planet (07/30/26-07/30/26)
Sons of the Desert / Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man (07/31/26-07/31/26)
West Side Story (08/01/26-08/02/26)
Unforgiven (08/05/26-08/05/26)
My Best Girl (08/06/26-08/07/26)
Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief (08/08/26-08/09/26)
Another Thin Man (08/12/26-08/13/26)
Gremlins (08/14/26-08/14/26)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (08/15/26-08/16/26)
Death Becomes Her (10/06/26-10/11/26)
Maybe Happy Ending (11/03/26-11/08/26)
Beauty and the Beast (01/30/27-02/07/27)
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical (02/23/27-03/03/27)
Beetlejuice (04/16/27-04/18/27)
Hell's Kitchen (06/15/27-06/20/27)
Wicked (07/28/27-08/15/27)
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (07/09/26-07/10/26)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (07/11/26-07/12/26)
Romancing the Stone (07/15/26-07/16/26)
Silence of the Lambs (07/17/26-07/17/26)
South Pacific (07/18/26-07/19/26)
Coal Miner's Daughter (07/22/26-07/22/26)
Roman Holiday (07/23/26-07/24/26)
Some Like It Hot (07/25/26-07/26/26)
Shall We Dance (07/29/26-07/29/26)
Forbidden Planet (07/30/26-07/30/26)
Sons of the Desert / Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man (07/31/26-07/31/26)
West Side Story (08/01/26-08/02/26)
Unforgiven (08/05/26-08/05/26)
My Best Girl (08/06/26-08/07/26)
Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief (08/08/26-08/09/26)
Another Thin Man (08/12/26-08/13/26)
Gremlins (08/14/26-08/14/26)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (08/15/26-08/16/26)
Death Becomes Her (10/06/26-10/11/26)
Maybe Happy Ending (11/03/26-11/08/26)
Beauty and the Beast (01/30/27-02/07/27)
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical (02/23/27-03/03/27)
Beetlejuice (04/16/27-04/18/27)
Hell's Kitchen (06/15/27-06/20/27)
Wicked (07/28/27-08/15/27)
Where is Ohio Theatre located?
Ohio Theatre is at 39 East State Street, Columbus, OH.
What shows have played recently at Ohio Theatre?
Pretty Woman (07/02/26-07/02/26)
Stand By Me (07/01/26-07/01/26)
Cartoon Capers (06/27/26-06/27/26)
An American in Paris (06/27/26-06/28/26)
Hitchcock's Family Plot (06/25/26-06/26/26)
Spaceballs (06/24/26-06/24/26)
Casablanca (06/20/26-06/21/26)
Lee Daniels' The Butler (06/19/26-06/19/26)
Hadestown (Non-Equity) (05/15/26-05/17/26)
The Sound of Music (02/24/26-03/01/26)
Stand By Me (07/01/26-07/01/26)
Cartoon Capers (06/27/26-06/27/26)
An American in Paris (06/27/26-06/28/26)
Hitchcock's Family Plot (06/25/26-06/26/26)
Spaceballs (06/24/26-06/24/26)
Casablanca (06/20/26-06/21/26)
Lee Daniels' The Butler (06/19/26-06/19/26)
Hadestown (Non-Equity) (05/15/26-05/17/26)
The Sound of Music (02/24/26-03/01/26)
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Caamp Value City Arena at The Schottenstein Center (8/29-8/29) |
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An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. The Palace (7/28-7/28) |
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The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute LIVE in Concert in Columbus, OH Hollywood Casino Columbus (8/21-8/21) |
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The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show The Dinner Detective Columbus (8/22-8/22) |
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The Jungle Book Kids Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center (9/18-9/27) |
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The John Eufinger Symphony Series Presents… Central Ohio Symphony - American 250 Symphony Concert The Avalon Theatre (7/12-7/12) |
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A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (10/18-10/18) |
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Wicked Ohio Theatre (7/28-8/15) |
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Sombr Nationwide Arena (11/08-11/08) |
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AC/DC Ohio Stadium (7/15-7/15) |