Review of Water for Elephants at Proctors

by Katie Beltramo

The musical Water for Elephants has come to town, and it's jam-packed with music, acrobatics, dancing, puppetry, and spectacle. You may already be familiar with the story from the 2006 historical novel by Sara Gruen and the 2011 movie with Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.  It opens with an elderly Jacob Jankowski who tells the story of how he joined the circus as a young man and found himself in a love triangle that ended with the (fictional) biggest circus disaster in history.

As you might expect, there are some heavy themes and plot points, but the muscial is recommended for ages 8 and up. There's also so much pure circus magic happening that it's likely that these aspects of the show will either fly completely over kids's heads or be forgotten within moments in the sheer activity on stage. See what I mean in this preview:

The scenery is simple and evocative, not without its own drama as the cast pitches a big tent, but more of a backdrop for Depression-era clothing and colorful and sparkling circus tights and headdresses. More spectacular still is the puppetry, as Silver Star the horse, Rosie the elephant, and several "animal" cast members interact with the humans on stage. Puppets tend to be a huge score for kids any time, and the puppetry in Water for Elephants shifts and evolves so artistically that there were audible gasps in my audience at various points. The sheer number and variety makes you wish that you could freeze the action on the stage for a moment and taker a closer, more detailed look.

The same is true for the circus performances, including acrobatics, juggling, clowning, aerial silks, hoops, and more. It is difficult to choose where to look during some of the ensemble scenes, starting with "The Road Don't Make You Young," my personal favorite. But there's plenty of traditional Broadway style, too, including soaring vocals from Helen Krushinki as Marlena.

The show is extremely entertaining. For me, the plot was sometimes difficult to follow, mostly because there's switching between the two narratives of elderly Jacob Jankoski in present day and the main story of his youth in the circus. Sometimes both the elder and younger characters are on stage at the same time, typically to emphasize particularly emotional or pivotal moments and once to act as translator. At one point, I was confused about why the elder Jankowski was speaking the lines of his younger counterpart, and I'm still confused: I'd have to watch it again to figure it out. 

Warnings:

The story itself contains plot points that could trouble some kids. The main character lost both his parents to a car crash that is briefly portrayed in a stylized way. One character is cruel to the circus animals, an animal is shot, and two men are pushed off a train to their deaths. However, we don't see the violence directly except in one encounter where there are two slaps. Again, it's all presented as symbolic performances, so many kids either won't realize or register the violence like they might in a movie or TV crime show. This warning is for those of you who have a particularly perceptive and fretful child (coming from a mom who raised one of those).

Things to talk about before seeing the show:

• For those in middle school or younger, I might prepare them for the idea that it's a story within a story, and that the older (bald) Jacob Jankowski (in the picture below) is the same person as the younger (suspendered in the picture above) Jacob Jankowski, and when you see them together, it's because the older man is vividly remembering his days as a young man.
• If they don't know, tell kids that circuses often travel by train. If this is something that piques their interest, this video about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus explains more.
• This musical takes place during the Great Depression, so you'll notice that characters are worried about the success of the circus and keeping their jobs.

 Questions to spark discussion with kids and teens after the show:

• Why do you think it's called Water for Elephants? What did they say in the show? Could it mean something more?
• What did you think about the animal puppets? How many different animals did you see? What did you notice about how they were operated? Why do you think we were introduced to Rosie one piece at a time?
• Jacob is bit by the lion, but the lion doesn't have any teeth. August, who runs the circus, launches into a song about how the circus is filled with lies, and Jacob responds that "the acts I like the best/Don't depend on misdirection." What do you think? What "lies" does the circus tell, and what's sincere? Which parts do you like best?
• What circus performer or circus stunt was most impressive to you? Which would you like to be able to do?
• The other performers warn Jacob that the circus life is hard and he should go home if he can. He responds with "I Choose the Ride." Would you "choose the ride"? Why or why not?
• What did you think about how Silver Star is portrayed by both a puppet and a person? Was one or the other more effective to you? What did each bring to the performance?
• What is the company singing about when they sing "Zostań"? Some parts are in English, but here's a translation of the chorus from Polish to English: "Stay, stay, stay, and listen. Stay, stay and see for yourself. Slow down, slow down, and smell the roses. Stay, stay, stay, and listen."
• What do Barbara, Walter, and Camel mean when they sing to Jacob, "Don't be the squeaky wheel"? When is it a good idea to stand out vs. blend in?
• What did you think about the ending, with the older Mr. Jankowski getting invited to join the circus?

Water for Elephants has plenty of musical and circus magice to delight and astound both kids and their grown-ups.

Water for Elephant's national tour is playing at Proctors, Schenectady, through April 12, 2026, then continuing to several other KidsOutAndAbout regions.

For schedule and ticket information, visit waterforelephantsthemusical.com.

© 2026 Katie Beltramo.
Katie Beltramo, a mom of two, is communications director of Kids Out and About. She also blogs at Capital District Fun.

Photos by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.