Water For Elephants – The Musical at Procter & Gamble Hall

“Many wonders await audiences in the gloriously imaginative Broadway musical.” – The New York Times

A person who doesn’t enjoy all the wonders of the circus is yet to be born. Whether it is the clowns, the acrobats, the aerialists, the jugglers, or the animals – everybody enjoys the magical things the Big Top has to offer. This year the Big Top is coming to you! 

Broadway’s brand new Tony Award-nominated musical Water For Elephants, based on Sara Gruen’s critically acclaimed best-selling 2006 novel, has taken the world by storm. It’s nothing short of thrilling – jam-packed with stunning spectacle like it’s coming straight from the Big Top; it’s dazzling – filled with breathtaking acrobatics, emotional rollercoasters, and nostalgia; it’s moving – a perfect balance between the beauty and brutality of circus-life during the 1930s Depression era; it’s magical – full of the wonders of circus-meets-cirque and heart-rending romantic drama, and a brilliant integration of mind-blowing stunts, a tale of survival and love, and cutting-edge puppetry. 

From the innovative, cutting-edge puppetry to the deeply moving story, from the tastefully executed design to the impressive, multi-talented cast comprising actual trained circus performers, from the jaw-dropping stunts to the Americana-infused music – Water For Elephants is one of the biggest must-sees right now. How your lucky stars are aligning for you this season, because Broadway’s new smash-hit musical Water For Elephants is on tour, and coming to the iconic Procter & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Centre this season!

Water For Elephants Tickets

Tickets are on sale now directly from the Aronoff Centre’s box office, so if you’re keen to experience something unique that will leave you with your mind blown and your heart full, head down there right now to get your tickets! Rumour has it that the venue is filling up fast though, so if you don’t want to risk missing out on this season’s biggest must-see, simply click on the ‘Buy Tickets’ link, and download your buyer-guaranteed tickets directly to your phone. Catching the hottest Broadway show has never been this easy! 

“Big Top-like entertainment, especially the heart-stopping acrobatics, which are not just athletically spectacular, but often visually beautiful and emotionally expressive.” – New York Theater

SYNOPSIS

It is the 1930s, the years of the Great Depression, and Jacob jumps onto a train that is going anywhere but there. A choice was made, and once Jacob found out that the train belongs to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth, life began. At first, he is hired for a day, but after the company finds out that Jacob studied veterinary medicine, he is offered a job as the circus vet. After a series of events that almost sank the circus, Jacob came to the rescue – by speaking in Polish to an elephant. 

What unfolds for Jacob is larger than life, bigger than anything he ever could have imagined for himself – and a new love. But what would happen when the menagerie cages are opened and the animals are let out?

Water For Elephants is a powerful reminder of what life could hold when you choose the ride in a world where life has become very difficult.  

“A dash of vaudeville, one part Cirque du Soleil, two parts circus, and a huge splash of old-fashioned Broadway – the perfect cocktail.” – Show-Score

CREATIVE TEAM

Water For Elephants, based on Sara Gruen’s 2006 best-selling novel of the same name, has seen the light as a magnificent musical with a book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Company. 

The breathtaking new tour of Water For Elephants is headed up by a world-renowned creative team with director Ryan Emmons (Matilda the Musical, Kimberly Akimbo, Groundhog Day, Ghost the Musical, Miss Saigon) at the helm. The creative team also includes the talents of choreographers Shana Carroll and Jessee Robb, 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 Luc Vershuren, and music supervisors and arrangers Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-Smith. The circus design has also been handled by Shana Carroll, and orchestrations by Daryl Waters, Benedict Braxton-Smith, and August Eriksmoen. 

“Stunning, emotional, heart-filled, and gorgeously imaginative!” – The New York Times

CAST

One of the most magical things about Water For Elephants is the star-studded cast – most of whom are multi-talented, trained circus performers. 

Audiences can look forward to experiencing the incredible talents of Zachary Keller (4400, Shameless, Chicago Med) as Jacob, Helen Krushinski (An American in Paris, Masquerade) as Marlena, Robert Tully as Mr. Jankowski, Connor Sullivan as August, Javier Garcia as Camel, Ruby Gibbs as Barbara, Grant Huneycutt as Wade, and Tyler West as Walter, among others.   

“Great dialogue, kinetic movement, and wondrous spectacle.” – BroadwayWorld

HISTORY & LEGACY

Water For Elephants has been in development since 2015, after the rights were acquired to adapt Sara Gruen’s 2006 best-selling novel for stage. PigPen Theatre Company came alongside book writer Rick Elice as the creators of the Americana-tinged music and lyrics, and after its premiere in 2023 in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre, Water For Elephants transferred to Broadway, opening in 2024 at the Imperial Theatre. 

The production was met with massive critical acclaim, especially in the light of its visual spectacle and production value. To date, Water For Elephants has received no less than seven Tony Award nominations, a Drama League Award nomination, an Outer Critics Circle Award, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Chita Rivera Awards. 

“Spellbinding entertainment!” – Variety

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL

The iconic Procter & Gamble Hall, situated at the Aronoff Centre for the Arts on 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, is the centre’s largest theatre, boasting some of the best live entertainment around. Whether you’re craving musical theatre, comedy shows, music concerts, or plays, the Procter & Gamble Hall has got you covered!

The Procter & Gamble Hall’s breathtaking design with its gorgeous ceiling with 3,000 fibre optic lenses creating a starlight-effect, together with its stunning colour scheme of terracotta, ochre, teal, brass trims, and cherry wood has earned a place in theatregoers from around the world’s hearts. With the venue’s state-of-the-art sound and lighting, fully equipped stage, fantastic sight-lines, and wonderful acoustics, any experience here is one for the books! 

The Procter & Gamble Hall boasts luxurious seating for up to 2,700 patrons across an orchestra floor, box seats, a loge, and balcony, largely contributing to the venue’s incredible sight-lines, making every single seat at the Procter & Gamble Hall a fantastic seat! 

“If you can’t make it to the circus, or you just want acrobatic action thrown in to your next theatre performance, go check out ‘Water For Elephants’! – Newsbreak