Ever really feel like working away from residence to affix a musical? Then “Water for Elephants” can be the present of alternative that gives escapism, enchantment and coronary heart — and thrills, too.

Based on Sara Green’s 2006 bestseller, the present premiered final yr at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre and elevates the musical to new and literal heights with its seamless integration of theatrical and cirque artistry.

It’s additionally the second new musical to open on Broadway in every week (following “The Notebook”) advised in flashback from the angle of a nursing residence resident reconnecting along with his youthful self. But right here the story being advised isn’t wistful however dynamic, its nostalgia sharpened with hard-knock realities, and its sentimentality offset with humor, snap and darkness.

It additionally transcends the literalness of the 2011 movie (which starred Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz), making it a singular and imaginative creation of the stage and reside efficiency.

The present is propelled by a fast-moving locomotive of a script by Rick Elice (“Jersey Boys,” “Peter and the Starcatcher”) and the characters on board are on the journey of the lives. For most, it’s about survival. Set throughout the Depression, the story follows distraught younger man Jacob Jankowski (Grant Gustin, compelling) as he flees from a household trauma, all advised in flashbacks by his older self (Gregg Edelman).

After hitching a journey on what seems to be a circus prepare, Jacob’s one-day stick with the hard-scrabble touring firm is prolonged after ringmaster/proprietor Augustus (Paul Alexander Nolan) sees this almost-veterinarian — Jacob dropped out simply earlier than graduating Cornell — as a straightforward asset for the troupe’s unhappy menagerie. (The tune “The Lion Has No Teeth” says all of it.)

Through Jacob we enter a sawdust subculture and with him uncover the hierarchy, perspective and lingo of circus life the place performer are “kinkers,” prospects are “rubes” and “red-lighting” is being thrown from a transferring prepare.

With economic system and wit, we be taught a lot in regards to the characters with whom Jacob quickly bonds: aged odd-jobber Camel (Stan Brown, genuine), no-nonsense clown Walter (Joe De Paul, snarlingly hysterical), seen-it-all showgirl Barbara (Sara Gettelfinger, terrific) and particularly equestrian Marlena (Isabelle McCalla), the recipient of her husband August’s devotion — and his abuse. Ever looming is the troupe’s threatening foreman (Wade McCollum).

Fortunes for the debt-ridden circus reverse when Rosie, a 53-year-old elephant, is introduced into the corporate. But the pachyderm resists coaching till Jacob finds simply the proper phrases and, with Marlena, makes the intuitive animal into the star attraction.

The shared compassion and attraction of the 2 trainers turns into noticeable by the troupe — together with the ruthless, sadistic and mercurial Augustus. It’s not lengthy earlier than one thing depraved this fashion comes.

The solid is big-top degree. Edelman’s low-key ease and self-aware humor makes this nursing residence escapee a beguiling but clear-eyed information to the long-ago previous and to this fascinating circus caravan.

Gustin as younger Jacob shares that likability — and vulnerability — as a person feeling misplaced and alone till he discovers his true calling, chosen household and love. McCalla performs Marlena not as a sufferer however as an ever-resilient spouse strolling the tightrope of constancy, concern and desperation. Nolan is mesmerizing as Augustus, a grasp impresario and sociopath of each attraction and menace.

Jessica Stone, who staged the modestly-scaled “Kimberly Akimbo,” and her inventive workforce — particularly circus designer Shana Carroll, who co-choreographs with Jesse Robb — right here sort out a big-canvas manufacturing, bringing all of it below one spectacular tent with out forgetting its human — and animal — hearts.

The manufacturing’s masterful illusionists embody set designer Takeshi Kata, lighting designer Bradley King and Walter Trarbach, who created a soundscape. For the duty of making, sure, the elephant within the room — in addition to the lions, orangutans and different creatures massive and small — puppet designers Ray Wetmore, JR Goodman and Camille LaBarre work wonders, capturing every animal’s essence, generally with detailed designs but in addition with the only suggestion, particularly for Rosie who turns into, by way of puppeteer Caroline Kane, a totally realized character — and star of this present, too.

The septet of the manufacturing’s aerialists and acrobats come from the Montreal-based 7 Fingers firm, which made the 2013 revival of “Pippin” so beguiling. Their feats are usually not only for the sake of a pant — shout-out right here to the astonishing Keaton Hentoff-Killian —  however are metaphorically linked to the story on stage. For occasion, as Marlena gently sings “Easy” to calm her injured stallion, the poignancy is echoed in an beautiful Spanish Web efficiency on dangling ribbons of glistening white cloth by Antoine Boissereau.

The rating by the musical collective PigPen Theatre Co. captures the tuneful Americana temper of the period, and mixes it up with songs starting from swing to people. Especially high-quality is the infectious “The Road Don’t Make You Young,” the romantic ballad “Wild” and “Zostan,” the rollicking celebration of Polish instructions.

For followers of the e book and movie, the climactic second on stage stays equally thrilling — and probably the most inventive stampede because the wildebeest run in “The Lion King” (whose co-producer Peter Schneider can be top-lined right here).

This underdog circus troupe could promote its leisure as “Benzini Brothers’ Most Spectacular Show on Earth,” however for this rube’s nickels, “Water for Elephants” may very well be the best present on Broadway.