Water for Elephants Musical Review: The Circus Comes to San Diego

There’s an elephant onstage at the San Diego Civic Theatre—and from my fourth-row seat, I could actually see her blink. Of course, Rosie isn’t a real elephant. She is one of the extraordinary puppets that help bring Water for Elephants to life, but that distinction becomes surprisingly easy to forget.

Based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel, Water for Elephants brings its combination of Broadway musical theater, circus arts, acrobatics and imaginative puppetry to San Diego. While it took me a little while to settle into the story, once the circus came alive, I was in.

From Bestselling Novel to Broadway Musical

Water for Elephants is set in 1931, in the depths of the Great Depression, and the story follows young Jacob Jankowski after the sudden loss of his parents leaves him essentially penniless and without a home. When he jumps aboard a passing train, he has no idea he’s just landed in the strange, gritty world of a traveling circus. What follows is a story about finding family in unexpected places, falling in love and figuring out what you’re willing to risk when the life you thought you were going to have suddenly disappears. The story is told through an older Jacob looking back at this defining period of his life, giving the musical a nostalgic and sometimes bittersweet quality.

I thought the beginning moved a little slowly. But once Jacob enters the circus world, the production finds its rhythm—and then there is so much to watch.

Water for Elephants Has San Diego Connections

There are a couple of San Diego connections in Water for Elephants that make this touring production especially fun for local audiences.

Javier Garcia, who plays Camel, is a San Diego native of Mexican heritage who grew up between Tijuana and San Diego. Seeing a performer with roots on both sides of our border return with a major Broadway national tour makes this San Diego engagement a little more special. There is also a local connection behind the scenes. Tony-nominated costume designer David Israel Reynoso is a San Diego-based artist who has worked extensively in our theater community, including at The Old Globe. His costumes help create the gritty, colorful world of this Depression-era traveling circus without making it feel too polished or glamorous. The clothes look like they belong to people who actually live and work on a circus train.

I always love discovering San Diego talent involved in productions like this, especially when we’re watching the show right here at home.

The Water for Elephants Puppets Stole My Heart

I loved the puppets. Sitting in the fourth row gave me an incredible view of how they work. I could see the performers manipulating them and still found myself completely buying into the illusion. And then there’s Rosie. From where I was sitting, I could see the elephant blink! There is something wonderful about knowing exactly how the theatrical magic is being created right in front of you and somehow believing in it anyway. That’s what great puppetry does. Rosie doesn’t need to look like a completely realistic elephant for us to become emotionally attached to her. Through movement, expression and the performers operating her, she develops a personality of her own. For me, the puppetry was one of the highlights of the entire show.

Acrobatics Take This Musical to Another Level

Then there are the performers. Seriously, what is going on with all that talent?! They sing, act, and dance. And then, apparently because all of that isn’t enough, they perform circus acrobatics too. Meanwhile, some of us weren’t blessed with any of the above.  The circus performers don’t feel like an attraction added to a Broadway musical just for spectacle. The acrobatics are woven into the storytelling. Bodies fly through the air. Performers balance, tumble and climb. The choreography and circus arts work together until the Civic Theatre stage really does begin to feel like a Depression-era traveling circus. It’s one of the things that makes Water for Elephants feel different from a traditional Broadway musical.

Is Water for Elephants Worth Seeing in San Diego?

Yes! Live theater is always worth it, especially if you’re looking for something that feels different from the typical Broadway touring production. The story may take a little time to get moving, but once it does, there is so much happening on that stage that it’s difficult to know where to look. Come for the story, but pay attention to everything happening around it: the puppetry, costumes, choreography, circus performers and the incredible physical skill required to pull all of this off night after night. And if you’re lucky enough to sit close to the stage, keep your eye on Rosie. She might just blink at you.

Escape to the circus with Water for Elephants! Now at the San Diego Civic Theatre through August 23, 2026. Tickets at BroadwaySD.com