A SPECTACULAR NEW MUSICAL BASED ON THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND BEST-SELLING NOVEL BY SARA GRUEN

BOOK BYRICK ELICE MUSIC AND LYRICS BY PIGPEN THEATRE CO-DIRECTED BY JESSICA STONE

Speakeysie News Desk

ATLANTA – May 14, 2023 –

TheAlliance Theatre has assembled a stellar cast and creative team of its world premiere musical, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. Based on the critically acclaimed and best-selling novel, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS takes audiences on an adventure filled with romance, deception, and a little bit of magic. This moving story of finding where you belong will have its world premiere on The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre June 7–July 9, 2023.

“WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a story about fragility, resilience, and love; all set amidst a depression era traveling circus,” said Director Jessica Stone. “What excites me most about the production is the opportunity to, quite literally, get it off the page and into the air. We have gathered an incredible group of storytellers, from circus artists to puppeteers, to do just that. We can’t wait to see you, Atlanta!”

Based on the critically acclaimed and best-selling novel, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS takes you on an adventure filled with romance, deception, and a little bit of magic, all under the big top of a traveling circus. Running towards a new life, Jacob Jankowski hitches a ride on a mysterious train. He finds himself in the heart of a traveling circus, the Benzini Bros Most Spectacular Show On Earth, with a new job, a new home, and a new family. When charismatic ringmaster August brings Rosie the elephant as the new star attraction, Jacob and August’s wife Marlena join forces to train her.As Jacob and Malena’s shared compassion develops into love, August’s cruel nature surfaces, threatening to derail Jacob’s life once more.

Brought to theatrical life by an internationally acclaimed and innovative creative team, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will reignite your dreams of running away with the circus. This world premiere musical is directed by Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with a book by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the star catcher), and a score by the award-winning PigPen Theatre Co. This adventure of love, family, and belonging speaks to us all.

The cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS includes Stan Brown as Camel, Joe De Paulas Walter, Bryan Fenkart (Waitress) as August, Sara Gettelfinger (A Free Man of Color, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Barbara, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener (Crazy for You, Spamalot) as Mr. Jankowski, Isabelle McCalla (The Prom, Aladdin)as Marlena, Wade McCollum (Wicked, My Fair Lady) as Wade, and Ryan Vasquez (Hamilton, The Wrong Man) as Jacob. The ensemble includes Brandon Block, Antoine Boissereau, PaulCastree, Taylor Colleton, Isabella LuisaDiaz, Gabrielle Elisabeth, Keaton Hentoff-Killian, Nicolas Jelmoni, Caroline Kane, Joel Malkoff, Michael Mendez, Jo’Nathan Michael, Gabriel Olivera De Paula Costa, Samuel Renaud, Marissa Rosen, Alexandra GaelleRoyer, Sean Stack, Matthew Varvar, Michelle West.

The WATER FOR ELEPHANTS creative team is led by Director Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo). The musical’s book is by three-time Tony Award nominee Rick Elice(Jersey Boys), with music & lyrics by the groundbreaking theater-makers, PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux).

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS will feature circus design by Shana Carroll (Cirque du Soleil Paramour), choreography by Jesse Robb (Miss Saigon) and Shana Carroll, scenic design by Takeshi Kata (Clyde’s), costume design by David Israel Reynoso( Sleep No More), lighting design byTony Award winner Bradley King (Flying Over Sunset, Hadestown, Fat Ham), sound design by Tony Award winner Jessica Paz (ABeautiful Noise: The Neil DiamondMusical, Hadestown), projections by David Bengali (1776, Beetlejuice), puppetry design by Camille Labarre (Into the Woods), rigging design by Danny Zen, music supervision and arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Some Like It Hot, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Prom) and Benedict Braxton-Smith (Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls), music direction byMatt Hinkley (Bandstand), orchestrations by Daryl Waters (Memphis), associate direction by Ryan Emmons (Kimberly Akimbo), production stage management by Timothy R. Semon (Company and casting in association with Tara Rubin Casting.

VENUE INFORMATION: The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, Memorial Arts Building, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

SPONSORS: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is part of the Alliance Series presented by The Coca-Cola Company.WATER FOR ELEPHANTSispresented by Invesco QQQ.Additional Support for water FOR ELEPHANTS is provided by King & Spalding and Graphic Packaging.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (World Premiere Musical) June 7–July 9, 2023–The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre–Book by Rick Elice–Music and Lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co