Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Broadway San Diego
Playing at Broadway San Diego through sunday, August 23rd
There is something undeniably magical about the idea of a circus, and Water for Elephants, now playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre, understands that magic beautifully. From breathtaking acrobatics and aerial work to gorgeous puppetry and illusions, the touring production delivers truly memorable theatrical moments.
Based on Sara Gruen’s 2006 novel, Water for Elephants follows Jacob Jankowski, who, after a personal tragedy, impulsively leaves behind his former life and joins a struggling traveling circus during the Great Depression. There, he finds work caring for the animals and falls for Marlena, a talented performer trapped in an abusive marriage to the circus’s volatile owner and ringmaster, August. The story is framed as a memory, with an elderly Jacob looking back on the period that changed his life.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy/MurphyMade
The touring cast is talented, led by Zachary Keller as the young Jacob and Helen Krushinski as Marlena, whose beautiful voice makes her musical moments some of the evening's strongest. Javier Garcia brings warmth and heart to Camel, while Tyler West provides some welcome humor and energy as Walter. Grant Huneycutt is suitably intimidating as Wade. But some of the most impressive performers in the production are the circus artists, whose acrobatics and aerial work are woven so seamlessly into the action that the show often feels more like a theatrical dream than a traditional musical, which is where Water for Elephants really shines.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy/MurphyMade
The musical is at its best when it leans fully into the acrobatics, magic, illusion, and theatrical imagination. Jessica Stone’s Tony-nominated direction, recreated for the tour by Ryan Emmons, creates a dreamlike circus world where memories seem to bend, stretch and float across the stage. Even when the audience can see how some of the theatrical “tricks” are being accomplished, they never feel like tricks included simply to impress; they are part of the storytelling.
The puppetry, designed by Camille Labarre, is absolutely gorgeous. The circus animals are portrayed with fluid grace and carefully observed physical details, allowing the audience's imagination to fully believe. Rosie, the elephant at the heart of the story, comes to life so gradually that by the time she is fully revealed, the audience has already felt her presence. Silver Star, the horse puppet, and its performer are particularly beautiful and heartbreaking. If anything, I found myself wishing there had been more animal puppetry throughout the show.
The scenic design, costumes by San Diego’s David I. Reynoso, and Bradley King’s lighting are all beautiful, creating a richly atmospheric circus world. The score by PigPen Theatre Co., whose unique and imaginative approach to storytelling I'm a fan of, is lovely, but not particularly memorable. There are some beautiful songs, but I kept waiting for a melody that people would leave singing on the drive home.
The first act moves a little too slowly, spending alot of time on exposition and relationship-building before the story really takes off. The plot is fairly predictable, and while the emotional stakes are high, it doesn't gain momentum until the second act; still, the book and score never quite live up to the wonderful production surrounding them.
Water for Elephants doesn't completely work as a story, but it is often wonderful as a piece of theatre. When the production embraces the magic of the circus, the impossible made possible through acrobatics, illusion, movement, and extraordinary puppetry, it is absolutely captivating.
How To Get Tickets
Water for Elephants is playing at Broadway San Diego through Sunday, August 23rd. For ticket and showtime infromaiton go to broadwaysd.com
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