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New York, NY

Water For Elephants Tickets

Life is a circus in this new musical based on the famous novel.
Aerial performer in a bodysuit is suspended on a rope, reaching toward a standing man in a dimly lit setting.
A theatrical performance with a group of actors on stage. A person in a sequined vest stands in front with arms outstretched; another performer is mid-air in a flip above the group.
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A vibrant circus performance with acrobats on ropes, a lively ensemble, and a backdrop of blue drapery and string lights on stage.

About Water For Elephants

Immerse yourself in the spectacle and excitement of the traveling circus with Water For Elephants on Broadway, the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical based on the critically acclaimed 2006 book and 2011 film of the same name. Get Water for Elephants tickets now on New York Theatre Guide, and experience this thrilling Best Musical nominee.

The Water For Elephants musical unfolds through the eyes of Jacob, an older man looking back and reminiscing on his life's adventures. When Jacob was young, amidst the Great Depression, his parents die and he hops a train to seek a new life, inadvertently joining a traveling circus called Benzini Bros Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Jacob, a veterinarian, quickly finds a place within the animal-heavy circus, and love finds him, too, when he falls for Marlena — the jealous ringmaster's wife.

Before its time on Broadway, Jacob's awe-inspiring story began as a novel by Sara Gruen. The New York Times bestseller was such a hit that in 2011, a film adaptation came out, starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz. The film grossed $117 million worldwide, and in 2012, it won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Drama Movie.

If you're looking for a circus experience even when the circus isn't in town, look no further than this unique Broadway musical featuring show-stopping choreography and circus costumes. It even includes circus acts like puppetry and aerial silk performance.

Get tickets to Water For Elephants on New York Theatre Guide.

Run time

2hr 40min. Incl. 15min intermission.

Start date

February 24th, 2024

End date

December 8th, 2024

Age

Ages 8+. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theater.

Production note
This production uses theatrical haze and a gunshot sound.
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Our Review

'Water for Elephants' review — new musical beautifully juggles circus and theatre

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22 Mar 2024, 01:00
Read our review of Water for Elephants on Broadway, a new musical at the Imperial Theatre based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Sara Gruen.

Water For Elephants cast and creative team

By: Rick Elice, based on the novel by Sara Gruen
Songs by: PigPen Theatre Co.
Director: Jessica Stone
Choreography: Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll
Circus design: Shana Carroll
Cast list: Kyle Selig (as Jacob), Isabelle McCalla (as Marlena), Gregg Edelman (as Mr. Jankowski), Paul Alexander Nolan (as August), Stan Brown (as Camel), Philippe Aymard (as Walter), Sara Gettelfinger (as Barbara), Wade McCollum (as Wade)
Design: Takeshi Kata
Costumes: David Israel Reynoso
Lighting: Bradley King
Sound: Walter Trarbach
Other info: Projections by David Bengali; hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates; puppetry design by Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, Camille Labarre; music supervision and arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-Smith; orchestrations by Daryl Waters, Braxton-Smith, August Eriksmoen

Venue

249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, NY, USA, 10036

Accessibility

Accommodations for patrons who are blind, deaf, partially sighted, and/or have hearing loss; partial wheelchair access, handrail access

More information about Water For Elephants

Get tickets to Water for Elephants on Broadway, or sign up to receive our latest news and show alerts.

Show schedule

Day of weekMatineeEvening
Monday--
Tuesday-7:00 PM
Wednesday1:00 PM7:00 PM
Thursday-7:00 PM
Friday-7:00 PM
Saturday1:00 PM7:00 PM
Sunday3:00 PM-

Frequently asked questions

What is Water For Elephants about?

Sara Gruen's bestselling novel is now a high-flying musical-meets-circus spectacular. After tragedy strikes, Jacob quits vet school and stows away with a traveling circus — and ends up in a secret love affair with the ringmaster's wife that causes tension under the big top.

Where is Water For Elephants playing?

Water For Elephants is playing at Imperial Theatre. The theatre is located at 249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.

How long is Water For Elephants?

The running time of Water For Elephants is 2hr 40min. Incl. 15min intermission.

What's the age requirement for Water For Elephants?

The recommended age for Water For Elephants is Ages 8+. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theater..

How do you book tickets for Water For Elephants?

Book tickets for Water For Elephants on New York Theatre Guide.

How much do tickets cost for Water For Elephants?

Tickets for Water For Elephants start at $65.

Who wrote Water For Elephants?

Rick Elice wrote the book for the Water for Elephants musical, based on Sara Gruen's original novel. He’s known for his Tony-nominated writing on Jersey Boys and Peter and the Starcatcher. The musical collective PigPen Theatre Co. wrote the songs.

Who directed Water For Elephants?

Jessica Stone directs Water For Elephants. She was nominated for a Tony Award for directing Kimberly Akimbo in 2023.

What are the songs in Water For Elephants?

PigPen Theatre Co. wrote the original music and lyrics for this show. The songs include “The Lion Has Got No Teeth,” “Just Our Luck,” and “Squeaky Wheel.”

Is Water For Elephants appropriate for kids?

Water For Elephants is recommended for ages 8 and older. The show contains some adult themes, acts of violence, and strong language, but the circus acts and spectacles will dazzle young audiences.

Is Water For Elephants good?

Water For Elephants is based on the critically acclaimed book and film of the same name, and the stage version is a uniquely exciting, larger-than-life spectacle with lots of talent involved. The show offers a rare opportunity to get the entertainment of a circus and a musical in one.

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Direct from the venue box office.
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