WATER FOR ELEPHANTS BRINGS CIRCUS SPECTACLE TO HARTFORD
By Kiersten Bjork (June 2, 2026)
The national tour of Water for Elephants, currently playing at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT, through June 7, is both a spectacular circus experience, and a powerful musical performance. Based on the novel by Sara Gruen, the musical features a book by Rick Elice, music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co, orchestrations by Daryl Waters, Benedict Braxton-Smith, and August Eriksmoen, and music arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Braxton-Smith. The story follows an aged Jacob Jankowski as he recounts his life in the circus, including how he fell in love, and the great tragedies that befell the community as they brought the greatest show on earth across the country.
The tour is directed by Ryan Emmons (original direction by Jessica Stone), with choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll (associate choreographer Paige Parkhill), circus design by Carroll (associate circus designer Antoine Boissereau), puppet direction by Joshua Holden, fight direction by Cha Ramos, music direction by Sarah Pool Wilhelm and music supervision by Braxton-Smith, with John Mezzio as music coordinator. It is a lively, vibrant, dynamic production across the board, featuring explosive choreography and impressive circus feats. This is a show that is a true feast for the eyes, and the production team has crafted a stunning visual spectacle across all departments, featuring a talented company bringing the world of the show to life.
The national tour of Water for Elephants, currently playing at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT, through June 7, is both a spectacular circus experience, and a powerful musical performance. Based on the novel by Sara Gruen, the musical features a book by Rick Elice, music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co, orchestrations by Daryl Waters, Benedict Braxton-Smith, and August Eriksmoen, and music arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Braxton-Smith. The story follows an aged Jacob Jankowski as he recounts his life in the circus, including how he fell in love, and the great tragedies that befell the community as they brought the greatest show on earth across the country.
The tour is directed by Ryan Emmons (original direction by Jessica Stone), with choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll (associate choreographer Paige Parkhill), circus design by Carroll (associate circus designer Antoine Boissereau), puppet direction by Joshua Holden, fight direction by Cha Ramos, music direction by Sarah Pool Wilhelm and music supervision by Braxton-Smith, with John Mezzio as music coordinator. It is a lively, vibrant, dynamic production across the board, featuring explosive choreography and impressive circus feats. This is a show that is a true feast for the eyes, and the production team has crafted a stunning visual spectacle across all departments, featuring a talented company bringing the world of the show to life.
The Cast of the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and Zachary Keller in the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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Robert Tully portrays the older Mr. Jankowski, while Zachary Keller takes on the role of Jacob Jankowski in his younger years. Tully is endearing as he reflects on his life, infusing his performance with wit and humor, while also conveying the deep sadness that permeates his life in the present. Keller has a spark to him that immediately catches the eye. He blends the grief that Jacob holds with the joy of the circus beautifully, giving us every facet of a young man who has suffered an immense loss, and yet finds himself on the precipice of a new future.
Opposite Keller as Marlena is Helen Krushkinski, also doubling as June in the present day with the older version of Jacob. Krushinski is both soft and strong, and truly shines in the role. Her rendition of “Easy” had the entire audience leaning in, moved by her voice. As August, circus ringmaster and Marlena’s husband, Connor Sullivan is a powder keg waiting to blow. He deftly navigates the shiny facade that August wields as a weapon, presenting the beautiful lies of the circus with a wave of his hand, before August snaps and moments of violence burst out. Sullivan walks that line expertly, giving us the full range of the character, while also jumping back and forth between the present-day character of Charlie.
The circus company is filled with an array of performers who are pulling out all the stops, from character work to acrobatics. As Camel, Javier Garcia is a delight, charming us with his vocals and kind demeanor, while Grant Huneycutt nails the gruff, dangerous edge that Wade presents. Tyler West is hilarious as Walter, having the entire audience in stitches during his clown performance, while Ruby Gibbs shines as Barbara, particularly in her comedic moments, with Yemie Woo and Zakeyia Lacey backing her up as Sue and Vera.
Yves Artières gives one of my favorite performances of the night as the horse, Silver Star. The silk work, puppetry, and overall physical performance from Artières is truly breathtaking to behold, and you can feel the entire audience holding their breath as he soars overhead. Gabriela Diaz and Adam Fullick also do excellent physical character work as Agnes, an orangutan, and Rex, a lion. Rosie’s handlers include Ella Huestis, Huneycutt, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, and Carl Robinett. The ensemble also features Jose Martinez and Serafina Walker, with swings Chris Carsten, Andrew Meier (fight captain), Marina Mendoza (circus captain), Summer Severin (dance captain), and Kayden Woodridge supporting.
Opposite Keller as Marlena is Helen Krushkinski, also doubling as June in the present day with the older version of Jacob. Krushinski is both soft and strong, and truly shines in the role. Her rendition of “Easy” had the entire audience leaning in, moved by her voice. As August, circus ringmaster and Marlena’s husband, Connor Sullivan is a powder keg waiting to blow. He deftly navigates the shiny facade that August wields as a weapon, presenting the beautiful lies of the circus with a wave of his hand, before August snaps and moments of violence burst out. Sullivan walks that line expertly, giving us the full range of the character, while also jumping back and forth between the present-day character of Charlie.
The circus company is filled with an array of performers who are pulling out all the stops, from character work to acrobatics. As Camel, Javier Garcia is a delight, charming us with his vocals and kind demeanor, while Grant Huneycutt nails the gruff, dangerous edge that Wade presents. Tyler West is hilarious as Walter, having the entire audience in stitches during his clown performance, while Ruby Gibbs shines as Barbara, particularly in her comedic moments, with Yemie Woo and Zakeyia Lacey backing her up as Sue and Vera.
Yves Artières gives one of my favorite performances of the night as the horse, Silver Star. The silk work, puppetry, and overall physical performance from Artières is truly breathtaking to behold, and you can feel the entire audience holding their breath as he soars overhead. Gabriela Diaz and Adam Fullick also do excellent physical character work as Agnes, an orangutan, and Rex, a lion. Rosie’s handlers include Ella Huestis, Huneycutt, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, and Carl Robinett. The ensemble also features Jose Martinez and Serafina Walker, with swings Chris Carsten, Andrew Meier (fight captain), Marina Mendoza (circus captain), Summer Severin (dance captain), and Kayden Woodridge supporting.
Zachary Keller, Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and the Cast of the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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The Cast of the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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Scenic design by Takeshi Kata brings the circus to the stage. The proscenium is framed in a variety of advertisements for the circus, while much of the stage space itself is left open for the array of scenic elements that are brought in and out over the course of the show. The big top is raised, train cars roll on and off, and a platform is lifted high into the air at different times, all creating a stunning visual world for the production to flourish within. Bradley King’s lighting design builds off the scenery, adding to the circus atmosphere with brilliant colors. One of my favorite lighting looks is right near the top of the show, when a stage left spot creates the visual sensation of Jacob’s flight from home to the train, and into the night. Projection design by David Bengali blends expertly with lighting and scenic elements to fully realize the world of the show. Sound design by Walter Trarbach is strong throughout, with a good balance in the space.
Costume designer David I. Reynoso sets the piece nicely within the time period, while pulling out all the stops for the gorgeous circus costumes worn by a range of characters. From August’s jacket to Marlena’s looks, to the costumes for all of the ensemble performers as they leap, tumble, and soar across the stage, are beautifully done. Likewise, hair, wig, and makeup design by Luc Verschueren/Campbell Young Associates completes the character looks nicely.
One of the highlights of the production is the puppet design by Ray Wetmore & JR Goodman, and Camille LaBarre. From the range of puppet pieces used for Rosie the elephant over the course of the show, to the Silver Star horse design, to all of the animals in the menagerie, the puppets are really stunning to see, and their direction, as well as the handling and execution, really elevate this show.
Costume designer David I. Reynoso sets the piece nicely within the time period, while pulling out all the stops for the gorgeous circus costumes worn by a range of characters. From August’s jacket to Marlena’s looks, to the costumes for all of the ensemble performers as they leap, tumble, and soar across the stage, are beautifully done. Likewise, hair, wig, and makeup design by Luc Verschueren/Campbell Young Associates completes the character looks nicely.
One of the highlights of the production is the puppet design by Ray Wetmore & JR Goodman, and Camille LaBarre. From the range of puppet pieces used for Rosie the elephant over the course of the show, to the Silver Star horse design, to all of the animals in the menagerie, the puppets are really stunning to see, and their direction, as well as the handling and execution, really elevate this show.
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski in the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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Yemie Woo, Robert Tully, Tyler West, Javier Garcia, ZaKeyia Lacey and Ruby Gibbs in the National Tour of Water For Elephants (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
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It’s big, it’s bold, it’s everything you would hope for from a circus show, while also leaning into the incredibly emotional story at its core. Water For Elephants is a show that I keep coming back to–this was viewing number 4, between Broadway and the tour–and each time that I see it, I find myself in awe of the physicality and caliber of performances from the company, while at the same time getting incredibly choked up in the final moments of the “‘I Chose the Ride’ Reprise” at the end of the show. If you can, I highly recommend grabbing yourself a ticket to this circus–and perhaps they’ll even let you carry water for the elephants.
Water for Elephants plays June 2-7, 2026, at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at bushnell.org/events/detail/water-for-elephants-2026 or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900. See Water for Elephants in a city near you, and learn more at waterforelephantsthemusical.com/tour.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Water for Elephants plays June 2-7, 2026, at The Bushnell in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at bushnell.org/events/detail/water-for-elephants-2026 or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900. See Water for Elephants in a city near you, and learn more at waterforelephantsthemusical.com/tour.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.