This Place is Always in Motion (Broadway in Louisville)
Oct 17
2 min read
0
33
0
Water for Elephants
Based on the novel by Sara Gruen
Book by Rick Elice
Music and Lyrics by the Pigpen Theatre Co.
Directed by Jessica Stone
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
What secrets do memories hold? What lessons can we learn from them? Broadway in Louisville’s current production of Water for Elephants centers on one man’s reflection on his younger days in the circus and the love and community he found after great tragedy. Thisis one beautiful production not to be missed.
Robert Tully’s Mr. Jankowski is a reliable narrator ever yearning for the old days. He tells the tale of jumping a circus train in 1931 amidst prohibition and the Great Depression. As his younger self (played by Zachary Keller) finds his place in the world among the animals, kinkers and rousts. Tully’s performance is charming, heartbreaking and tender as we go deeper into his past adventures.
As the younger Jacob Jankowski, Zachary Keller brings a heart driven performance as the grief stricken wanderer. Keller shines as the romantic lead with a wide knowledge of animals. Keller’s vocals for “Silver Stars” were clear, vibrant and strong. But it is his duet with Helen Krushinski’s Marlena where he truly shows his magnitude. As the pony show performer, Krushinski flawlessly blends vocals with Keller in the lovely ballad “Wild.” Her vocals are powerful in “What do you do” as she contemplates a happier life but it’s “Easy” where she truly shines as she works to tame her horse in the form of a physically impressive silks acrobat. As Marlena finds herself in an unhappy marriage, Connor Sullivan’s August is a mean, money hungry owner of the circus. While his stage presence in the circus scenes is grandiose and larger than life, you can help but root against this villain.
Along the way, Jacob makes friends with the likes of Camel (Javier Garcia), Wade (Grant Huneycutt), Walter (Tyler West) and Vera (Zakeyia Lacey). With songs like “Another Train” and “I choose the ride,” Garcia and Huneycutt bring impressive gusto to songs about living a life free of responsibility. Lacey brings powerhouse vocal to “Just our luck.” West’s Walter brings expert timing to his clowning skills at the end of the first act as well.
If you come to Water for Elephants for the folk infused musical score and love story, stay for the mesmerizing ensemble comprised of circus trained performers. These performers tumble, stack, and climb the highest heights, swing from silks and hoops with increasingly impressive strength and stamina. Nancy Luna’s appearance as Agnes the orangutan is highly amusing while the appearance of Rosie, the elephant is simply striking in movement and detail.
Like any circus, Water for Elephants is only in town for a few more days. This mesmerizing love story with feats of human strength and agility is the very definition of spectacle. And what it means to remember simpler times.
Water for Elephants
Broadway Across America
October 14, 15, 16, 17 @ 7:00 pm
October 18 @ 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
October 19 @ 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Whitney Hall at Kentucky Performing Arts
501 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 584-7777
