Grant Gustin to star in 'Water for Elephants' on Broadway; initial casting set

The Flash actor will make his Broadway debut alongside two other actors newly joining the company, and five reprising their roles from the musical's world premiere.

Meet your circus performers! Water for Elephants on Broadway has set initial casting. The musical adaptation of Sara Gruen's bestselling book begins performances at the Imperial Theatre on February 24 ahead of a March 21 opening.

Grant Gustin, known for playing the title role in the CW show The Flash, will make his Broadway debut in the lead role of Jacob. The Water for Elephants Broadway cast also includes Isabelle McCalla as Marlena, Gregg Edelman as Mr. Jankowski, Paul Alexander Nolan as August, Stan Brown as Camel, Joe De Paul as Walter, Sara Gettelfinger as Barbara, and Wade McCollum as Wade.

McCalla, Brown, De Paul, Gettelfinger, and McCollum all reprise their roles from the show's world-premiere production in Atlanta earlier this year.

Additional casting has yet to be announced.

Water for Elephants falls Jacob Jankowski, who starts his life over after a family tragedy by leaving veterinary school and joining a traveling circus. There, he gets a new family, but also more than he bargained for when he falls for the lead acrobat, Marlena — the jealous ringmaster's wife.

Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) adapts Gruen's novel for the stage, and the original score is by PigPen Theatre Co. Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) directs the production.

Check back for information on Water for Elephants tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: Grant Gustin, Isabelle McCalla, Gregg Edelman, Joe De Paul, Paul Alexander Nolan, Sara Gettelfinger, Stan Brown, and Wade McCollum. (Photos courtesy of production; Gustin photo by Storm Santos)