Flying High in the Circus with Water for Elephants

Helen Krushinski reaches out to Zachary Keller as their love soars in Water for Elephants. ( Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade)

By Oline H. Cogdill

There was a time when the circus coming to town was the height of live entertainment, especially in medium to small towns. This was the time when movies mostly were the only other option for entertainment and television, if it did exist, was only three channels. And the phrase “run off to join the circus” was code for escaping those towns and finding where you belong.

Finding your place in this world, loving what you do and never giving up your dreams, no matter how young or old you are, reverberate throughout the entertaining musical Water for Elephants that revolves around a down at luck circus, the people who’ve made it their home cris-crossing the country and the animals that inhabit it, currently in production at the Broward Center through Nov. 23.

Water for Elephants is a perfectly serviceable musical—the songs are good, though not memorable nor show stoppers. The actors who portray the three leads combine fine voices with solid acting chops, making the audience care about them as well as the dozen or so supporting cast who comprise the core of circus performers, roustabouts and workers.

But what keeps the audience riveting and makes Water for Elephants stand out are the terrific aerial acts and the puppeteers who make menagerie of animals feel real. These aspects put the audience under the big top with aerial artists floating overhead, suspended, it seems in midair; others climbing the narrowest of poles while hammer throwers make you want to duck even though they are downstage and not near the auditorium. The athlete wrapped in arial silk doing a tissue loop inspires the awes as he captures the emotion of portraying a horse. The circus choreography is precise and don’t be surprised if these high-flying moments make you grab your companion.

Each of these acrobatics serves a plot purpose as they move along the story and show the circus life in the ring and on the road.

Anyone who saw Life of Pi, the Broward Center’s last production, War Horse, or the cow Milky White in the latest incarnation of Into the Woods knows how puppets have advanced since, well, those days of only three TV channels. The puppets no longer seem made of fabric, but living creatures The puppeteers and aerialists who move and manipulate the circus animals of Water for Elephants deserve applause: Agnes the orangutan (Nancy Luna), Silver Star, a horse (Yves Artières), Rex, the lion (Adam Fullick).

Then there’s Rosie, the elephant of the title who becomes the star of the circus. At first, we see her only as a shadow, then only her ears, then just the truck, the one leg, a second leg, and so on. These little glimpses whet our curiosity so when Rosie is revealed, it is a bit of a wonder. Again, applause to those who keep Rosie on her feet and moving—Ella Huestis, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, Carl Robinett, Grant Huneycutt.

Water for Elephants is a memory play as Jacob Jankowski recounts and relives his years with the fourth-rate Benzini Brothers during the 1930s. The superb Robert Tully is now an old man, who lives in a nursing home, but he vividly remembers his days in the circus. Tully drops in and out of the story as his younger self, a superb Zachary Keller takes offer and shows his life there.

Jacob had almost finished veterinarian school, posed to join his father’s practice, when his parents were killed in a car accident. Due to his father’s debts, the bank foreclosed on their house, the vet practice and everything they owned. He was unable to finish his studies. This being the 1930s, Jacob jumps on a train found for “Anywhere,” his introductory song. It happens to be the Benzini Brothers train. He plans to only stay one night, maybe two, get a bit of money and keep moving again.

But the owner August (a terrific Connor Sullivan) offers him a whomping $3 a week (this was the Great Depression and that was a good salary) to stay on take care of the animals, most of whom are in bad shape and need Jacob’s medical skills. August’s compassionate, intelligent wife Marlena (an equally terrific Helen Krushinski) manages and trains the Liberty Horses, especially her favorite Silver Star) and later Rosie.

Sullivan shows August as a charismatic, charming ring master who on an instant can be cruel and brutal to his crew. Krushinski is an appealing actress whose strong personality elevates Marlena.

The dynamics of Jacob, August and Marlena infuse the plot as Water for Elephants follows the trials, tragedies and daily life of the circus. Special nods also to Ruby Gibbs as Barbara, Javier Garcia as the handicapped tent foreman Camel, Grant Huneycutt as Wade the bouncer and Tyler West as the clown midget Walter.

The musical’s book is by Rick Elice, based on the 2011 movie and the 2006 novel by Sara Gruen. Music and lyrics are by PigPen Theater Co., a seven-man indie folk collective. Original direction is by Jessica Stone with tour direction by Ryan Emmons.

Water for Elephants will leave audiences happy and entertained. You may not leave humming “Easy” or “I Choose the Ride,” two of the best songs. But you will remember Rosie and how the circus made you feel way back then.

Water for Elephants runs through Nov. 23 in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, as part of the Broadway Across America series. Times vary. Running time 2 hours, 10 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets run from $48.75 to $173.75. For tickets visit www.browardcenter.org, ticketmaster.com; by phone 954-462-0222.

Helen Krushinski) and her dying horse