Photos provided by Matthew Murphy

The latest adaptation of Sara Gruen’s novel “Water For Elephants” turned movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson may now be a Broadway production, but it has nearly as much in common with Cirque du Soleil since it centers primarily around circus life.

Set in the Great Depression and narrated by an older Mr. Jankowski (Robert Tully) looking back on younger years, the musical recalls when he was a recently orphaned college student studying veterinary medicine, then known as simply Jacob (Lake Zurich native Zachary Keller), who jumps a train to the “Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth” after being left without a home.

It’s there that he meets Marlena (Helen Krushinski), the star performer and wife of ringmaster August (Connor Sullivan), the latter of whom offers him a job tending to an ailing horse, prior to helping transform its replacement, a rundown elephant named Rosie, into a main attraction.

In between loads of shenanigans by other staff members and a few sinister secrets, forbidden sparks start to fly between the runaway and his boss’ leading lady, obviously complicating their working relationships and leading to some serious soul-searching for everyone involved.

The book by Rick Elice and the rootsy pop/folk score by the PigPen Theatre Co. are each enticing and enjoyable enough, yet don’t wind up being as much of the focal point when placed against such a spectacle.

Credit an ingenious creative team, including circus designer Shana Carroll, choreographers Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll, scenic designer Takeshi Kata, costume designer David I. Reynoso, lighting designer Bradley King and projection designer David Bengali for completely rewriting the rules on how to resurrect this ancient art form for today’s audiences.

In fact, the significant amount of breathtaking aerial stunts, awe-inspiring acrobatics, surrounding set pieces and lifelike puppetry are all so impressive, they make for a visual feast not seen since “The Lion King.”

So step right up to the Nederlander Theatre for “Water For Elephants” and be ready to soak in the scene with childlike-wonder and embrace a reminder that it’s never too late to begin a brand new life, the first or even second time around.

“Water For Elephants” continues at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through Sunday, July 5. For additional details, visit WaterForElephantsTheMusical.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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