By Jody Tuso-Key: Managing Editor

Yesterday I ran away to the circus, and I’m so glad I did! I’m also glad I needed to reschedule my tickets from Wednesday to Sunday. In addition to the circus atmosphere was an expo and food truck festival at the Woodruff Arts Center after the show, which made the circus that much more enjoyable.

Not only did I run away to the circus, I was also transported back in time to the Great Depression where I met the company of the Benzini Brothers’ Most Spectacular Show on Earth through the memories of Jacob Jankowski, a man who in his younger years ran away from his life as a veterinary student during the great depression following the death of his parents and happened to jump on a circus train. Jacob is a man in his 90s living in a nursing home. His memories of the Benzini circus have come to life on the Coca-Cola vividly as they happen right before your eyes.

“What?” you ask, “You mean the Benzini circus that was famous for its animal stampede back in the 30s?” Exactly that fictitious circus, created from the mind of Sara Gruen in the critically acclaimed 2006 novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. I bought the book at a Scholastic Book Fair at Martin Elementary where I was a teacher, having just moved back to Georgia from Albuquerque. I remember the lasting impression of this story of love, domestic abuse, and the dark underbelly of circus life. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS headed the New York Times Best Seller list for 12 weeks and was made into a film opening in 2011 to mixed reviews. Now the novel has been adapted into a stage musical with a book by Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. This much-anticipated world premiere was chosen for Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre’s season finale as its first stop on what this humble reviewer predicts will be a long and successful run once the musical leaves the Alliance and travels to wherever it might pitch its tent next.

Directed by celebrated director Jessica Stone, fresh off her Tony win for Kimberly Akimbo, this show is a feast for the senses. This breathtaking and innovative show introduces the best of all the modern theatrical elements into one mesmerizing production. This innovative big top is woven together with the golden threads of imaginative puppetry (Camille LaBarre), spectacular circ (Marco Ingarmo), beautiful and period-correct costumes (David Israel Reynoso), captivating choreography (Paige Parkhill), Beautiful music with heavenly harmonies (led by conductor Matt Hinkley), picturesque scenery (Takeshi Kata), pristine lighting (Bradley King) and flawless sound (Jessica Paz).

The icing on the cake of this visually stunning production is the performances. This show has assembled some of the best of Broadway and Circ into a company that works together seamlessly. Our leading men Harry Groener (Mr. Jankowski) and Ryan Vasquez (young Jacob Jankowski) have a stack of impressive credits between them, including Cats and Hamilton. Both work together and individually to create a character that is endearing. Vasquez’s stage presence and vocals are dazzling and Groener’s continuity and ability to insert himself into his character’s memories is endearing. 

Isabelle McCalla returns to the Alliance (she was in the ensemble of THE PROM) as Marlena, Jacob’s love interest and abused wife of the circus owner and ringmaster, August, played by Bryan Fenkart. Isabelle’s portrayal of a woman who left her privileged life to marry August and become a star attraction is superb. Bryan delivers a dazzling performance as a charismatic ringleader and abusive husband (described as paranoid schizophrenic in the novel).

I especially enjoyed the characters of Camel (Stan Brown), Joe De Paul (Walter), and Barbara (Sara Gettelfinger). Each actor brought exactly what I pictured in those characters to life on stage. In addition, bravo to the entire ensemble for their beautiful harmonies, dynamic dancing, amazing acrobatics, and splendid circ performances. 

The music is modern-day meets the big band and swing era with a smattering of American folk. I wish the soundtrack were available as I would have listened to it on the way home to Flowery Branch as I drove in a torrential downpour. Don’t get me wrong, the rain and the traffic (there was a four-car accident on 85 North) were definitely worth the drive!

Finally, an interesting aside: I think it’s fitting that this show premiered in the city where in March 1889, a traveling circus stalled just south of Marietta when cash flow problems forced its owner into bankruptcy. The circus was left behind, and the animals began to draw crowds of curious onlookers. Two weeks later, businessman George Valentine Gress purchased the remains at a public auction and donated the animals to the city of Atlanta. City leaders relocated them to picturesque Grant Park, a favorite local picnic and promenade destination. Featuring a jaguar, a hyena, a black bear, a raccoon, an elk, a gazelle, a Mexican hog, lionesses, pumas, camels, and snakes, Atlanta’s first zoological venue opened to the public that April and today is known as Zoo Atlanta.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a Speakeysie MUST SEE and it runs until July 9th to a full house every performance, so get your tickets soon at https://www.alliancetheatre.org/production/2022-23/water-for-elephants. I’m sure you’ll enjoy running away to the circus as much as I have. BRAVO Alliance!! Thanks for the adventure. 

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