“Water for Elephants isn't just the frontrunner for the 2024. Tony Award for Best Musical, it's a bold assertion that this still young artform has plenty of tricks left to reveal.”
MusicalOriginal
MUSICALORIGINALCLOSED
Water for Elephants
Imperial Theatre · 2h 30m · Opened Mar 21, 2024 · Closed Dec 8, 2024 · Ran for 9 months
Critics' Take
Critics praise the remarkable circus ensemble and stunning acrobatics, but find the Depression-era love story formulaic and the score forgettable, making for a visually dazzling spectacle that lacks emotional depth.
Critic Scorecard
32 reviewsSort:
“"Water for Elephants” could be the greatest show on Broadway.”
“Water for Elephants grabs that magic and makes it fly.”
“Water for Elephants is a must-see and shows us how Grant Gustin should have been on Broadway all along.”
“In building such a huge and heart-filling musical one image at a time, the creators of “Water for Elephants” have disproved the old circus adage behind the title, which holds that you can never deliver enough sustenance for a creature so large and thirsty.”
Audience Scorecard
5.0K audience reviews
B-
Shrugging
Awards Scorecard
2023-24 season60
Honored
Nominated for Best Musical
Drama Desk:3 wins / 7 nomsOuter Critics:1 win / 5 nomsDrama League:1 nom
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Water for Elephants?
Critics praise the remarkable circus ensemble and stunning acrobatics, but find the Depression-era love story formulaic and the score forgettable, making for a visually dazzling spectacle that lacks emotional depth. (CriticScore 75/100 from 32 reviews.)
Is Water for Elephants worth seeing?
Yes. Water for Elephants earns strong reviews from critics (75/100 from 32 reviews). Most theatergoers will have a great time.
What is the CriticScore for Water for Elephants?
Water for Elephants has a CriticScore of 75/100 based on 32 professional reviews. This is a "Recommended" show.
Is Water for Elephants still running on Broadway?
No, Water for Elephants has closed. It played at Imperial Theatre and closed on December 8, 2024.
How long is Water for Elephants?
Water for Elephants has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 intermission.
Is Water for Elephants appropriate for children?
Water for Elephants is recommended for Ages 10+.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueThe Imperial Theatre offers good sightlines with minimal obstructions and solid sound quality, though some seats may miss minor stage action. While the ambiance is enhanced by its historic architectural design, comfort is average with decent legroom. Facilities are lacking, with long restroom lines being a common issue.
Original Broadway Cast
- Grant GustinJacob JankowskiBroadway debut
- Isabelle McCallaMarlena
- Stan BrownCamelBroadway debut
- Joe De PaulWalterBroadway debut
- Gregg EdelmanMr. Jankowski
- Sara GettelfingerBarbara
- Wade McCollumWade
- Paul Alexander NolanAugust
Notable Replacements
- Kyle SeligJacob Jankowski
- Philippe AymardWalterBroadway debut
- Joe De PaulWalter
- Marina MendozaKinker & Roust
Creative Team
- Jessica StoneDirector
- Rick EliceBook
- Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-SmithMusic Supervision
- Elizabeth DoranMusic Direction
- PigPen Theatre CoMusic & Lyrics
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 75/100 (32 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Mar 21, 2024
- Closed
- Dec 8, 2024
- Run Length
- 9 months
- Runtime
- 2h 30m
- Intermissions
- 1
- Age
- Ages 10+
- Synopsis
- Based on the bestselling novel, this Depression-era love story unfolds at a traveling circus where a young veterinarian falls for the star performer.
- Data Last Updated
- September 13, 2026
