Without a dazzling group of circus performers, “Water for Elephants” would be little more than a sideshow.
They’re so outstanding you frequently forget there’s a story that’s playing out and a series of songs that hammer home a message, but only through repetition.
Just when you think you’re headed to the dark side of the circus, director Jessica Stone brings in the acrobats and wows with their artistry. An injured horse (beautifully played by Antoine Boissereau) demonstrates just how important the distraction is.
Through flashbacks, a former circus employee (Gregg Edelman) tells how he joined a circus, fell for its leading lady (Isabelle McCalla) and fought off its shrewd owner (a perfect Paul Alexander Nolan). Grant Gustin plays Mr. Jankowski as a young man and carries the scenes quite well. McCalla makes all men look good.
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While Stone dazzles with tricks here and there (she enjoys toying with Nolan), her greatest feat is teasing the elephant who becomes the show’s fulcrum. A trunk here, a foot there and soon you’re imagining you’re seeing the whole thing. When you do (spoiler alert) it’s not as impressive as the show’s logo. That suggests a “War Horse”-like animal. The one created by puppet designers is too cutesy for the show’s own good.
Like “Barnum,” however, “Water for Elephants” has a three-ring circus of activity. Kinkers and rousts, as the circus employees are called, are fully realized characters who could easily step out and become strong, featured performers. Joe De Paul is fun as the clown with solid routines; Sara Gettelfinger is sassy as the “been there, seen that” showgirl. A subplot with her or De Paul could have given “Water” even more weight.
Still, Nolan makes sure there’s a villain to hiss and a moment (or two) to applaud. He’s a master showman who won’t concede any failing. That he wasn’t nominated for a Tony is one of the big 2023-24 surprises. He’s marvelous.
Put into play with the others, his ringmaster never lets the tent fall, even though the money is not there for anyone but himself.
This “Water for Elephants” betters the film version, making the story more compelling, but the songs by Pigpen Theatre Co. could have used one more rewrite. Their song, “The Lion Has Got No Teeth,” stands out but that’s because others don’t make the most of a “Grapes of Wrath”-like vibe. “Easy,” for example, pounds the repetition.
Still, a circus without a circus would just be a tent and Stone doesn’t chintz on its jaw-dropping moments. She’s constantly tossing someone in the air and making sure a ring of truth remains when the scene ends.
“Water for Elephants” makes a great case for this kind of entertainment and it reminds us there’s nothing like a little distraction to hide the flaws.
“Water for Elephants,” a nominee for Best Musical, is at the Imperial Theatre in New York.
Bruce Miller is editor of the Sioux City Journal.
