Water for Elephants, the best-selling 2006 novel by Sara Gruen, will be coming to the stage.
The world premiere musical based on the popular book will be presented at the Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre, June 7 to July 9.
With a libretto by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co., the show tells the story of Jacob Jankowski, who hitches a ride on a mysterious train and finds himself in the heart of a traveling circus, the Benzini Bros Most Spectacular Show on Earth. He soon meets Rosie the elephant, and is tasked with training her alongside Marlena, the wife of ringmaster August, and a love triangle develops.
The musical is full of adventure, romance, deception and a little bit of magic.The book was adapted as a non-musical film in 2011.
Directed by Jessica Stone, the stage musical Water for Elephants stars Stan Brown as Camel, Joe De Paul as Walter, Bryan Fenkart as August, Sara Gettelfinger as Barbara, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener as Mr. Jankowski, Isabelle McCalla as Marlena, Wade McCollum as Wade, and Ryan Vasquez as Jacob.
“Water for Elephants is a story about fragility, resilience and love; all set amidst a depression era traveling circus,” Stone said. “What excites me most about the production is the opportunity to, quite literally, get it off the page and into the air. We have gathered an incredible group of storytellers, from circus artists to puppeteers, to do just that. We can’t wait to see you, Atlanta!”
For more information, visit Alliance Theatre.
