WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opening Night Critics' Reviews — Page 5

It's been a month since the show opened and Rex Reed penned his scathing, over-the-top pan. Neither he nor the Observer have posted a theater review since (though he's posted TV reviews). If W4E was enough to make him give it up, maybe that's another plus in the show's column.

MemorableUserName said: "It's been a month since the show opened and Rex Reed penned his scathing, over-the-top pan. Neither he nor the Observer have posted a theater review since (though he's posted TV reviews). If W4E was enough to make him give it up, maybe that's another plus in the show's column."

The thing about Reed, despite being a sad and nasty human being, is that there is usually an element of truth in his rantings. This is not to excuse his desperate attempts to stay relevant.

Miss10036 said: "I didn't feelthat compelled to see this, but the decent reviews and best musical nomination made me reconsider. I went tonight and I kind of enjoyed this?I was pleasantly surprisedthat I foundquite a bit to like. Jessica Stone gives us some neat staging and if anything, I appreciatethat this shows off more of what she can do. Her direction certainly papers over the weaker elements and adds interest, and I thought she did well, overall,integrating the circus elements. The suggestive puppetry and use of different set pieces (like the "train") worked for me andfit with an idea of making do with what you have during the Depression. While the elephant didn't blow my mind, I didn't need her to be this full, impressive puppet. It would have felt jarring, or like pandering for applause, if we suddenly got one.Paul Alexander Nolan's magnetic and I couldn't take my eyes off of him anytime he was onstage. Now, this show'sgot flaws. The main character is a blank, the score isn't much to write home about, and the framing device getsdistracting and doesn't establish muchconnection between younger and older Jacob. There are many times, in both acts, when the momentum just stalls, and I don't feelthey've cracked the emotional core of this story. As wonderful as Izzy McCalla is here, she can only do so muchwith what's on the page. I'm not sure I'd recommend W4E, but I thought it was a nicenight out and worth going for the creative staging."



This review spoke to me. I saw it last night and enjoyed the first half and then couldn't wait for it to be over ... It got boring. They could have done without the older jacob entirely .. this doesn't have to be told in flashback and i am an immensely emotional person and had none of that here. I did like the elephant - and I enjoyed the acrobats. The show seemed really loud to me and yet I still couldn't understand a lot of what was sung. I was in the 3rd row of the mezz center which was a great view. Maybe since my last show was Stereophonic and the sound there was impeccable, i am spoiled. Ditto on Paul Alexander Nolan - he was terrific and a stand out.

For anyone interested - I got my ticket on TDF.

National tour just announced for Fall 2025! Launching out of Baltimore.

EDSOSLO858 said: "MatthewS1 said: "National tour just announced for Fall 2025! Launching out of Baltimore."

Elephants joins a surprisingly thin 2025-26 touring season so far, with only Tommy, Spamalot, and The Outsiders having been announced so far during their Broadway runs."

I’d be surprised if Suffs, Gatsby, and Notebook didn’t tour. HK probably will as well.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Lot of action surrounding W4E lately (tour announcement, two events at the Museum of Broadway, a post-show talkback series). They must be feeling desperate due to the grosses and making one final push before throwing in the towel."

Did we ever hear who is replacing Grant? He leaves... soon

I don't have any insider knowledge but I'm guessing they've been trying to get "a name" to replace Grant and have been unsuccessful thus far. I think closing in Sep is a very real possibility for this show.

Mr. Wormwood said: "I don't have any insider knowledge but I'm guessing they've been trying to get "a name" to replace Grant and have been unsuccessful thus far. I think closing in Sep is a very real possibility for this show."

Does a show like this really require a "name"? Because with all the respect in the world to the man, whenever I've heard anyone talk about this show (which, admittedly, is very little) Grant Gustin's performance has never once been brought up, as a highlight or otherwise.

Just saw the show for the first time this afternoon. Truly don’t understand how this musical got nominated and a nyt critics pick over the great Gatsby. It’s not all bad, just felt kinda pointless. Theres no deep dive into anything, you get nothing other than to join the circus. Theres no drama until well into the first act. It felt unfocused until the ring leader gets into the picture. I didn’t like the going back and forth between the old guy and ‘31. The only thing I genuinely enjoyed were the aerialists. The best part of the show was the “horse” that was doing the tricks in the air on the white tightrope, very elegant. The puppets sucked, why so much build for the elephant? I saw the understudy for August, Ken Wulf Clark, he was great. The entire show is just middling at best. Not necessarily bad, certainly not moving, and pretty dull most of the time.

Wade mccollum was PERFECT in that drag show at that little theatre under the church in midtown. He has to play some macho man here, and we don’t know anything about him other than he’s crazy. And they kept it so cold in that theatre, it was like a freezer in there.

Kyle Selig has been announced as the new Jacob.

…and the Oracle fires a blank.