Ever wondered what happens backstage to make the onstage artistry of Broadway happen so seamlessly? Water for Elephants has put out a video exploring just that, showing the backstage and onstage view of the silks act in the musical's song "Easy." As graceful and smooth as it looks onstage, the backstage support is anything but easy. See how it all goes down in the video above.
Based on Sara Gruen's novel, the musical continues its run at the Imperial Theatre, where it opened March 21. Rick Elice (Peter and the Starcatcher) penned the book, and PigPen Theatre Co. (The Tale of Despereaux) wrote the songs. Tony nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) directs.
The current cast is led by Kyle Selig as Jacob Jankowski, Isabelle McCalla (Shucked) as Marlena, Gregg Edelman (City of Angels) as Mr. Jankowski, Paul Alexander Nolan (Parade) as August, Stan Brown (Homicide: Life in the Streets) as Camel, Philippe Aymard as Walter, Sara Gettelfinger (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) as Barbara, and Wade McCollum (Wicked) as Wade.
The work tells the story of a man who runs away from his life, only to find himself caught up in a traveling circus. This stage musical follows a 2011 film adaptation of the novel starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz.
The production also includes circus design by Shana Carroll, who co-choreographed the piece with Jesse Robb. The creative team is filled out by scenic designer Takeshi Kata, costume designer David Israel Reynoso, lighting designer Bradley King, sound designer Walter Trarbach, projection designer David Bengali, hair and makeup designer Luc Verschuren for Campbell Young Associates, music supervisors and arrangers Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Benedict Braxton-Smith, and orchestrators Daryl Waters, Benedict Braxton-Smith, and August Eriksmoen. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting with production stage management by Timothy R. Semon.
Puppetry design is by Ray Wetmore (Spamalot), JR Goodman (Gutenberg!), and Camille Labarre (Into the Woods). Elizabeth Doran is music director, and Cha Ramos provides fight direction.
