Sara Gruen

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Flies High at Broadway Sacramento
by Courtney Symes - Oct 15, 2026

The magic of the circus, with its daring acrobats who defy gravity and its abundance of incredible sights, has always made for a good story. Combine that with romance, a traveling troupe, and a score that captures the spirit of a bygone era, and you have Water for Elephants, the Broadway musical based on the bestselling novel by Sara Gruen. Featuring a book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co., the production received seven Tony Award nominations and is now playing at Broadway Sacramento as part of its first national tour.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at The Paramount Theatre
by Shelley Dean - Oct 7, 2026

With flipping acrobats, ginormous creatures, and vocal talent that will melt you, the 2026 national tour of Water for Elephants makes for a spectacular night out. Lucky for Seattle, the production is currently stopping at The Paramount Theatre. With artful tour direction by Ryan Emmons, this production is packed with everything you could want in a night at the theater: spectacle, romance, humor, heartbreak, and loads of circus magic.

THE BODYGUARD, BOOP! THE MUSICAL, and WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Will Open at Kauffman Center
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2026

Single tickets will be available for three Broadway productions at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City through the PNC Broadway in Kansas City series. Learn more here.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Keller Auditorium
by Krista Garver - Oct 1, 2026

The circus has rolled into town! The national tour of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, based on Sara Gruen’s 2006 best-selling novel, has pitched its big top in the Keller Auditorium, arriving with all of the promised spectacle. With a book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co., this musical is a feast for the eyes.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS to Come to Seattle in October
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2026

The North American tour of the Tony-nominated musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will perform at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle from October 6–11. Based on Sara Gruen's bestselling novel, the production features a book by Rick Elice and music by PigPen Theatre Co.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Hollywood Pantages
by Evan Henerson - Sep 14, 2026

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS bears the imprint of its original director, the uber-talented Jessica Stone, and a team of collaborators who span a whole mess of creative genres. Along with their marvelous ensemble, they take us away.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS National Tour is Coming to Portland
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2026

The new musical based on the critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, will play Broadway in Portland's Keller Auditorium this September and October.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST & More Lead Los Angeles's September 2026 Top Theatre Shows
by Team BWW - Sep 3, 2026

Los Angeles is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for September 2026 include Beauty and the Beast and more.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a Ride at the Eccles Theater
by Tyler Hinton - Aug 26, 2026

The national tour of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, currently playing at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City, is an awe-inducing ride.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Broadway San Diego
by ErinMarie Reiter - Aug 21, 2026

When 'Water for Elephants' embraces the magic of the circus—the impossible made possible through acrobatics, illusion, movement, and extraordinary puppetry—it is absolutely captivating.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Brings Romance, Puppetry and Circus Magic to Broadway San Diego
by Lucía Serrano - Aug 21, 2026

From acrobats and funny clowns (not the scary kind, don't worry) to big Broadway numbers, puppetry, and an intimate love story, Water for Elephants has a little something for everyone.

Interview: From San Diego to the National Tour: Javier Garcia on Water for Elephants
by Lucía Serrano - Aug 11, 2026

Forget the big top. The circus has found a new home at the San Diego Civic Theatre, where Water for Elephants brings acrobatics, music, puppetry and plenty of theatrical magic to the stage. Based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel, the hit Broadway musical brings the spectacle and spirit of a 1930s circus to San Diego from August 18 - 23.

LEGALLY BLONDE, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and More Set for ATG San Francisco 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2026

ATG San Francisco has revealed its lineup of special theatrical engagements coming to San Francisco throughout the 2026/27 season, including Legally Blonde, Water for Elephants and more.

Tickets to WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Portland's Keller Auditorium on Sale Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 27, 2026

Tickets for the North American tour of Water for Elephants at Portland's Keller Auditorium are now on sale. Water for Elephants is based on the critically acclaimed and New York Times Bestselling novel by Sara Gruen.

Tickets for WATER FOR ELEPHANTS in Seattle to go on Sale This Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 13, 2026

Tickets for the North American tour of Water for Elephants in Seattle will go on sale this week. Water for Elephants is based on the critically acclaimed and New York Times Bestselling novel by Sara Gruen.

Interview: Jesse Robb & Shana Carroll of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
by Elizabeth Armstrong - Jul 5, 2026

Canadian-born Jesse Robb and American-born Shana Carroll, who now resides in Montréal, serve as co-choreographers on the Tony Award-nominated musical Water for Elephants, presented at Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre from July 7-19.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Tour at Broadway In Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Jun 25, 2026

The Water for Elephants tour transports audiences to the circus — and has some dazzling aerial tricks up its sleeve. Based on the popular 2006 novel by Sara Gruen, Rick Elice’s book and PigPen Theatre Co.’s score comprise a memory musical: The elderly Mr. Jankowski (Robert Tully) looks back on his days as a member of a traveling circus back in 1931.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is Now Playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2026

Water for Elephants is now playing a limited engagement at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. Water for Elephants is based on the critically acclaimed and New York Times Bestselling novel by Sara Gruen.

Interview: Paige Parkhill, Associate Choreographer of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
by Elizabeth Armstrong - Jun 21, 2026

Paige Parkhill, who hails from Kelowna, B.C., serves as Associate Choreographer on the Tony Award-nominated musical Water For Elephants, coming to Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre next month.

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at The Overture Center
by Scott Rawson - Jun 17, 2026

I truly enjoyed Water for Elephants far more than I thought I would. I came to the theater fearing the puppetry of the elephant would over shadow the actors. While it was spectacular, it did not over shadow the actors and for that I am grateful. And in an effort of full disclosure, admittedly, I also really hate the circus. No need to judge, just offering a little vulnerability here. Still, in spite of that I enjoyed the performance a great deal.