Water For Elephants

CRITIC’S PICK: Director Jessica Stone describes Water For Elephants as a story about fragility, cruelty, resilience and love — all set amidst a traveling circus in depression era America. This world premiere musical is based on the best-selling novel by Sara Gruen. The cast includes Stan Brown as Camel; Joe De Paul as Walter; Bryan Fenkart as August; Sara Gettelfinger as Barbara; Harry Groener as Mr. Jankowski; Isabelle McCalla as Marlena; Wade McCollum as Wade; and Ryan Vasquez as Jacob. The musical’s book is by three-time Tony Award nominee Rick Elice ( Jersey Boys ), with music and lyrics by the PigPen Theatre Company ( The Tale of Despereaux ). “What excites me most about the production is the opportunity to, quite literally, get it off the page and into the air,” Stone adds. “We have gathered an incredible group of storytellers, from circus artists to puppeteers, to do just that.” — Kevin C. Madigan