Following a celebrated Broadway run, the highly anticipated North American Tour of
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, A New Musical arrives in Chicago for a limited engagement
at the James M. Nederlander Theatre
June 23–July 5, 2026
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski, Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that the hit Broadway musical, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is now playing a limited engagement at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) through July 5, 2026.
Individual tickets, priced from $39.00 to $130.00, are available www.BroadwayInChicago.com, with a select number of premium, lottery, and rush tickets available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling (312) 977-1710 or email [email protected]. Ride Metra to any Broadway In Chicago show all summer long. Stress free rides are free – because the only drama should be on stage. Click here for more information about this offer. The tour will be led by Illinois native Zachary Keller (Jacob), alongside Helen Krushinski (Marlena), Robert Tully (Mr. Jankowski), Connor Sullivan (August), Javier Garcia (Camel), Ruby Gibbs (Barbara), Chris Marth (Wade), and Tyler West (Walter). Additional ensemble includes Fran Alvarez Jara, Yves Artieres, Chris Carsten, Adam Fullick, Meghane Poulet, Ella Huestis, Sam Kellar Long, ZaKeyia Lacey, Andrew Meier, Marina Mendoza, John Neurohr, Bradley Parrish, Carl Robinett, Summer Severin, Serafina Walker, and Yemie Woo. After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. |
ABOUT WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is based on the critically acclaimed and New York Times Bestselling novel by Sara Gruen. The Broadway musical has a book by four-time Tony Award® nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher), a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux), with tour direction by Ryan Emmons , recreating the original direction by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS features circus design by Tony Award nominee Shana Carroll (The 7 Fingers), choreography by Tony Award nominees Jesse Robb (Miss Saigon) and Shana Carroll, scenic design by Drama Desk Award winner Takeshi Kata (Clyde’s), costume design by David I. Reynoso (Sleep No More), lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (Hadestown), sound design by Tony Award nominee Walter Trarbach (Spongebob Squarepants), projections by two-time Tony Award nominee David Bengali (Good Night, and Good Luck), hair & makeup design by Luc Verschueren/Campbell Young Associates (A Beautiful Noise), puppet design by Ray Wetmore & JR Goodman, Camille Labarre (Into the Woods), puppet direction by Joshua Holden, music supervision and arrangements by Drama Desk Award winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Some Like It Hot) and Benedict Braxton-Smith (Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls), orchestrations by Tony Award winner Daryl Waters (New York, New York), Benedict Braxton-Smith and August Eriksmoen, fight direction by Cha Ramos ( Jagged Little Pill), associate circus designer by Antoine Boissereau, associate choreography by Paige Parkhill, and casting by The TRC Company, Claire Burke, CSA & Frankie Ramirez, CSA. The WATER FOR ELEPHANTS tour stage management team is led by production stage manager Kathleen Carragee and is supported by Stage Manager Maris Keller and Circus Stage Manager Stan Barile. The company management team is led by company manager Heather Moss with associate company manager Taylor Parris. The tour music director/conductor is Sarah Wilhelm Pool. Mimi Intagliata serves as the Executive Producer for the production. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Jessica Stone), Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical (Walter Trarbach), Outstanding Fight Choreography (Cha Ramos) and Outstanding Puppetry (Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman, & Camille Labarre), the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical (Jessica Stone), and the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography (Jesse Robb & Shana Carroll). |
TICKET INFORMATION (as of 6/23/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual ticket prices range from $39.00—$130.00 and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway In Chicago box office. A select number of premium seats are available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are available now by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing [email protected]. Subscribers may add tickets to their subscription by clicking here or by calling (312) 977-1717. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Patrons can participate in a Digital Lottery for a chance to purchase $30 tickets for each performance. In addition to the lottery, a limited number of $49 rush tickets will be offered for each performance—available only in person at the box office on the day of the show. Click here for more information on Digital Lottery and In-Person Rush. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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