Water For Elephants

Hello Everyone!

This review is NOT spoiler free. It will tell the plot of the Water for Elephant musical, and therefor the  movie and book of the same name. It also includes death and animal abuse. 

This past Sunday, I got to see Water For Elephants! I have been wanting to see this show, basically since it opened, but it got pushed aside for a while. Finally, with three weeks left in the run, I found my way into the Imperial. We bought tickets on Theatr the day before, so it was a pretty relaxed day, since we did not have to wake up early, or even leave till past 11. They were lottery tickets someone was selling, so they were partial view seats in the far right mezzanine. The seats were pretty good, barely anything was obstructed, but I imagine that front center mezzanine would be insane! 

The show follows the story of Jacob, a young polish vet student who runs away with the circus after his parent's death. It is dark, I will preface by saying that, but I don't really mind. The story is narrated by an older Jacob, who is telling his story to the new generation of circus performers, who see him as a circus royalty of sorts.  The circus' owner August and his wife Marlena, are the other two major characters of the story. When Jacob's parents die, he doesn't know what to do, so climbs onto the first train. It just happens to be the train carrying the entire Benzini Brothers circus. Jacob tells the circus workers he wants to work for one day, in return to stay the night on the train. At the next stop, he is tasked with feeding the lion. As he tries to put the bucket into the cage, the lion bites his arm. Only after did Jacob realize the lion has no teeth, and August tells him about the trickery behind the acts. He then meets Marlena and her horse, Silver Star. Silver Star is injured from over performing. August finds out Jacob was one exam away from becoming a vet, and asked him to look at Silver Star. Jacob realizes that Silver Star is in severe pain, and puts her down against August's orders. Jacob tries to quit the job, asking August to use the salary he would have gotten to buy fresh food for the animals. August pleads for Jacob to stay. They hear of a circus closing, and head to the sale of their equipment, trying to get a new horse for Marlena to perform with. When they arrive, all the horses are gone, but Rosie the Elephant is left. August buys Rosie, which convinces Jacob to stay, so he can train Rosie. I won't go into the whole plot, because it is complicated, but that is the basics of it. 

My initial thoughts are extremely positive. I really loved the whole atmosphere of the theater and sets. The show was strangely comforting, despite the dark storyline. I cannot really describe the feeling, but I was just at ease for most of the show. I can definitely see this being something people would want to see again and again. 

Isn't it spectacular!

A scene that stood out to me was Easy. I had heard the song before, and could tell it would sound nice on stage, but I didn't think I really understood till I was there. The person personifying the horse was so graceful and flew over the audience like it was nothing. It was one of the most spectacular scenes of the show. Another thing is the stage never feels still. There is always someone or something moving, The acrobats were did things I never though you could do without dying. Even the principle cast, who I can assume is fairly new to hanging from trapezes, were really impressive. The opening number of the act, there is the train car, which is moving fast and spinning around the stage. While this is all happening, Jacob is on top of the train car, and still singing. I don't really understand how you wouldn't get very dizzy.

I went to the stage door on 46th street, and was one of the first people there. This was again very relaxed and comfortable. There was only one row of people on the barricade. I can't say exactly what performers signed, but Isabella Mccalla and Kyle Selig did come and sign. This was so exciting! I saw Kyle Selig in Mean Girls and have listened to the soundtrack many, many times, so it was really cool to actually meet him. 

I left the stage door with that same wonderful feeling, like a rush of joy and energy. If you have the opportunity to see this show, I highly recommend and the performances are incredible. I am really sad this show never really got the fan base it deserves, and I hope it has a really successful tour

Thanks for reading

Makayla