Broadway Licensing proudly announces that the critically acclaimed Broadway musical, Water for Elephants, is now available for licensing exclusively to high schools. With book by Rick Elice (The Addams Family, Peter and the Starcatcher) and music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. (The Old Man and The Old Moon), this announcement marks an exciting opportunity for high schools to stage the show beginning in early fall 2025 alongside the launch of the musical’s highly anticipated First National Tour.
Water for Elephants, which was nominated for seven 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, will kick off the tour in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. The Broadway production garnered critical praise for its imaginative storytelling, with The New York Times naming it a Critic’s Pick and a “miracle” for its seamless artistry.
Based on the 2006 bestselling novel by Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants was also adapted into a movie in 2011, starring Reese Witherspoon. The Broadway musical, which debuted in February 2024, features captivating characters, a sweeping love story, riveting songs, and boundless opportunities for rich ensemble performances. The show takes audiences on a charming and emotional adventure through the unforgettable world of a traveling circus during the Great Depression
“We are overjoyed to offer high schools the chance to stage Water for Elephants, knowing they will bring their own innovative ideas to life through their productions,” says Ted Chapin, Chief Executive Officer of Broadway Licensing Global, the parent company to its signature musical imprint, Broadway Licensing. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the producers of the First National Tour. By concurrently licensing high school productions, together we are building the widest possible audience for this extraordinary new musical.”
Additional musicals in the Broadway Licensing catalog penned by the authors of Water for Elephants include The Cher Show with a book by Rick Elice and The Old Man and The Old Moon, The Nightmare Story, and The Mountain Song by PigPen Theatre Co.
Further announcements will be made regarding licensing availability for community and professional theatres. Schools interested in producing Water for Elephants can apply for the licensing rights at broadwaylicensing.com.
