From page to stage: Sarah Gruen’s novel comes to life
The cast of “Water for Elephants The Musical.” (Matt Murphy for MurphyMade)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Get ready to get a feel for the circus life with acrobatics, aerialists and large-scale animal puppets taking over a Central Florida stage.
“Water for Elephants The Musical” is based off Sara Gruen’s novel. It takes place during the Great Depression and it tells the story of a young man who jumps a moving train, not knowing where it will take him.
He ends up finding a new home with a traveling circus. The story is told through the eyes of the young man’s older self, where he recounts his time of adventure, love, and the harsh realities of the era.
Zachary Keller, Helen Krushinski, and Ella Huestis in “Water for Elephants The Musical.” (Matt Murphy for MurphyMade)
Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone is behind the show and it features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice and a score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.
The musical will be inside Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 4–9. Click here for ticket information.
Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorBrooke Savage headshotBrooke Savage
Brooke is a news producer and has been with News 6 since January 2018. She grew up in Coral Springs and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Before she came back to Central Florida, she worked in Fort Myers.
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