The national touring production of Water for Elephants rolled into town on Tuesday night, transforming the stage of the Providence Performing Arts Center into a lively spectacle of musical theater, flawless acrobatics, and lively puppetry.
The musical, which received seven Tony Award nominations in 2024, follows Jacob Jankowski, an old man reminiscing with circus employees about his youth working with circus animals. It was the Great Depression, and former veterinary student Jankowski had hopped a train looking for a fresh start out west, only to find it among those on the train itself—not in its destination.
While the powerful voices of Zachary Keller (young Jacob Jankowski) and Helen Krushinski (Marlena) carry the story along, the show itself was stolen by the incredible cast of “Kinkers & Rousts.” This ensemble of dancers, acrobats, and circus performers were their own sideshow of entertainment. You’ll be marvelling at the incredible strength, agility, and precision of the performers and holding your breath for the particularly daring stunts.
Of course, Water for Elephants would be incomplete without circus animals, and the team of talented puppeteers worked in perfect unity to bring them all to life. The titular elephant, with five credited puppeteers, is a testament to the teamwork within the cast.
No performance was as impactful as “Easy,” where Yves Artières blends puppetry with aerial acrobatics, breathing life into injured horse Silver Star, underscored by a chilling vocal performance from Krushinski. For more information on upcomnig shows, visit ppacri.org.
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