WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 5

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/15/24 at 7:13pm

Huffington Post: After 'The Flash,' Grant Gustin makes his Broadway debut in 'Water for Elephants'

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/grant-gustin-water-for-elephants-broadway-flash_n_661c6dcfe4b0f709554ae310

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 9:54pm

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.

[Miss10036]

Posted: 5/12/24 at 1:39am

I didn't feel that 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 surprised that I found quite a bit to like.  Jessica Stone gives us some neat staging and if anything, I appreciate that 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 and fit 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's got flaws.  The main character is a blank, the score isn't much to write home about, and the framing device gets distracting and doesn't establish much connection between younger and older Jacob.  There are many times, in both acts, when the momentum just stalls, and I don't feel they've cracked the emotional core of this story.  As wonderful as Izzy McCalla is here, she can only do so much with what's on the page.  I'm not sure I'd recommend W4E, but I thought it was a nice night out and worth going for the creative staging.

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 5/12/24 at 10:20am

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.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/26/24 at 12:18am

I went to see this show tonight and WHAT a surprise. I knew nothing about it, I only knew it was about a circus. This show was pure art, talent, the true art of storytelling with puppetries and acrobatics and dancing that blew me away. My favorite show of this season by far. 10 out of 10.

[rachelfran]

Posted: 5/30/24 at 1:06pm

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.

 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/21/24 at 10:56pm

Resisted this one until I saw the Tony performance. Here are my thoughts:

1) Paul Alexander Nolan is just great. He elevates all material he’s given. 

2) Some good songs, some very blah songs (what’s with the “group” of songwriters?!)

3) While the acrobatic stuff was fun, there was too much and it was pandering. There were times when it didn’t make sense, and the acting should be enough.

4) As previously mentioned, PAN is great and a couple of the smaller roles were great, but all three other leads didn’t do it for me. Grant Gustin has a nice voice and so did the female understudy, but their voices were just “nice” and the acting didn’t make me feel anything. No heat between them, no depth in the heavier moments. A big old “eh” and I was rooting for Gustin in his Broadway debut. I like when a theater nerd who’s made it big (or semi-big) comes back to theater because they love it.

5) The story itself isn’t my favorite, but I did enjoy this more than the Reese Witherspoon movie, so that’s a win, I guess.

Overall, this isn’t bad like Gatsby, but it isn’t great. I’m glad I saw it, but it won’t be something that stays with me. The lack of comments about the show on this board are more evidence of that.

[MatthewS1]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 9:07am

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

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 9:13am

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. 

 

[MatthewS1]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 9:20am

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]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:42am

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.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:43am

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

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:45am

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "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"

With the tour announcement and Gustin leaving, maybe they’re just gonna close?

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 12:22pm

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.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 4:16pm

Grant Gustin's Favorite Photos from 'Water for Elephants' (Exclusive)

 

https://people.com/grant-gustin-shares-favorite-photos-from-broadway-run-water-for-elephants-exclusive-8692952

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 5:39pm

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.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 5:44pm

The reality is that it is starting g to die at the box office and can only expect its grosses to stay flat or go down.  They are probably thinking that the only was they can remain open is if they hire someone who will sell tickets.  Sadly, I suspect it will be closed in a few weeks.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 7:30pm

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. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 7:56pm

I was far more invested in WFE than I was for Gatsby.  Is it terrific?  Naw, but I was entertained.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 8:08pm

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. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 8:37pm

KevinKlawitter said: "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 talkabout this show (which, admittedly, is very little) Grant Gustin's performance has never once been brought up, as a highlight or otherwise."

What Jarethen said above... Whether it would happen or not, I'm sure producers think if they could get a big enough name, they could turn things around and push through to the holidays. I'm doubtful they will get one.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:03am

Kyle Selig has been announced as the new Jacob.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:12am

Couldn’t get a star, I see.  I guess a January closing. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/15/24 at 9:19am

…and the Oracle fires a blank. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 8/16/24 at 9:23am

who had the oracle been predicting?