“Water for Elephants isn’t just a show—it’s a full-body experience that sweeps you into a world where magic, movement, and emotion collide under the big top.” By Deborah Bostock-KelleyReviewed in Tampa, FL
Oct 30, 2025Reviewed in Tampa, FL
MUSICALTOURNOW PLAYING
Water for ElephantsNational Tour
Now in Costa Mesa, CA · Segerstrom Center · 2h 40m
Opened Sep 27, 2025 · 1+ year on tour
Reviewed by critics in each city on the tour, scored separately from the Broadway run. See the Broadway production →
24 Rave
39 Positive
8 Mixed
Critics' Take
Critics praise the stunning circus artistry, acrobatics, and elephant puppetry, but find the score and story underwhelming. The spectacular visuals and technical feats overshadow a dramatically uneven book that doesn't fully justify the musical adaptation.
Critic Scorecard
71 reviews24 Rave
39 Positive
8 Mixed
Sort:
Weighted by outlet tier · Counts
- Tier 1: 100%
- Tier 2: 75%
- Tier 3: 40%
- Tier 4: 20%
“For the sheer scale of its theatrical imagination, it is simply breathtaking.” By Paula CitronReviewed in Grand Rapids, MI
Oct 8, 2025Reviewed in Grand Rapids, MI
“This is a production not to be missed, whether you cherish the novel, live for the magic of the theater, or simply crave the chance to run away with the circus for a few hours.” By Jerrod SumnerReviewed in Minneapolis, MN
Mar 5Reviewed in Minneapolis, MN
“And she’s just one of many astonishing delights in this spectacular musical currently in its first national tour with a stop at DeVos as the 2025-25 season opener for Broadway Grand Rapids.” By Marin HeinritzReviewed in Grand Rapids, MI
Oct 10, 2025Reviewed in Grand Rapids, MI
“Water for Elephants is beautiful, emotional, romantic, a little dark, and absolutely packed with those big WOW moments that make seeing a Broadway show live so much fun.” By AmberReviewed in Portland, OR
Oct 1Reviewed in Portland, OR
Tour Schedule
58 stops- Nov 10–22Costa Mesa, CASegerstrom CenterNOW PLAYINGTickets ↗
- Nov 24–29San Francisco, CAOrpheum Theatre
- Jan 8–9Waterbury, CTPalace Theater
- Jan 13–14Utica, NYStanley Theatre
- Jan 15–17New Brunswick, NJState Theatre
See all 58 stopsHide full schedule
- Sep 27–Oct 4Baltimore, MDHippodrome Theatre4 reviews
- Oct 7–12Grand Rapids, MIDeVos Performance Hall2 reviews
- Oct 14–19Louisville, KYKentucky Center1 review
- Oct 21–26Greenville, SCPeace Center1 review
- Oct 28–Nov 2Tampa, FLStraz Center1 review
- Nov 4–9Orlando, FLDr. Phillips Center3 reviews
- Nov 11–23Fort Lauderdale, FLBroward Center2 reviews
- Dec 2–7Providence, RIPPAC2 reviews
- Dec 9–14Washington, DCNational Theatre3 reviews
- Dec 16–21Durham, NCDPAC1 review
- Jan 12–14Wichita, KSCentury II PAC
- Jan 16–18Lubbock, TXBuddy Holly Hall
- Jan 20–25San Antonio, TXMajestic Theatre
- Jan 27–Feb 1Houston, TXHobby Center1 review
- Feb 3–8New Orleans, LASaenger Theatre
- Feb 11–22Denver, CODenver Center3 reviews
- Feb 24–Mar 1Fayetteville, ARWalton Arts Center1 review
- Mar 3–8Minneapolis, MNOrpheum Theatre2 reviews
- Mar 10–29Cleveland, OHConnor Palace4 reviews
- Mar 31–Apr 5Pittsburgh, PABenedum Center2 reviews
- Apr 7–12Schenectady, NYProctors Theatre3 reviews
- Apr 14–19Buffalo, NYShea's PAC1 review
- Apr 21–May 3Cincinnati, OHAronoff Center2 reviews
- May 5–10Huntsville, ALVon Braun Center
- May 12–17Nashville, TNTPAC1 review
- Jun 2–7Hartford, CTThe Bushnell1 review
- Jun 9–14Columbus, OHOhio Theatre1 review
- Jun 16–21Madison, WIOverture Center2 reviews
- Jun 23–Jul 5Chicago, ILNederlander Theatre6 reviews
- Jul 7–19Toronto, ONEd Mirvish Theatre
- Aug 18–23San Diego, CACivic Theatre6 reviews
- Aug 25–30Salt Lake City, UTEccles Theater4 reviews
- Sep 8–27Los Angeles, CAPantages Theatre4 reviews
- Sep 29–Oct 4Portland, ORKeller Auditorium2 reviews
- Oct 6–11Seattle, WAParamount Theatre3 reviews
- Oct 13–18Sacramento, CASAFE Credit Union PAC1 review
- Oct 20–25Reno, NVPioneer Center
- Oct 27–Nov 1Tempe, AZASU Gammage1 review
- Nov 3–4Fresno, CASaroyan Theatre
- Nov 6–8Eugene, ORHult Center
- Nov 10–22Costa Mesa, CASegerstrom CenterNOW PLAYINGTickets ↗
- Nov 24–29San Francisco, CAOrpheum Theatre
- Jan 8–9Waterbury, CTPalace Theater
- Jan 13–14Utica, NYStanley Theatre
- Jan 15–17New Brunswick, NJState Theatre
- Jan 19–31St. Louis, MOFabulous Fox Theatre
- Feb 2–7Atlanta, GAFox Theatre
- Feb 9–10Melbourne, FLKing Center
- Feb 12–14Sarasota, FLVan Wezel PAH
- Feb 16–21Fort Myers, FLMann Performing Arts Hall
- Feb 23–24Wilmington, NCWilson Center
- Feb 26–28Worcester, MAHanover Theatre
- Mar 2–7Detroit, MIFisher Theatre
- Mar 11–14Lincoln, NELied Center
- Mar 30–Apr 4Kansas City, MOKauffman Center
- Apr 6–11Austin, TXBass Concert Hall
- Apr 13–25Dallas, TXMusic Hall
- Apr 27–May 2Appleton, WIFox Cities PAC
Dates from Tours To You. Tickets for some stops through TodayTix; check the venue for the rest.
