WAYZATA — Blue Water Theatre Company invites the community to step under the big top as Water for Elephants arrives on stage December 11–21, 2025. Adapted from Sara Gruen’s celebrated novel, the production promises a sweeping, imaginative journey brought to life through inventive stagecraft and expressive puppetry — a hallmark of the company’s commitment to youth artistry.
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Water for Elephants follows Jacob Jankowski, a young man who discovers unexpected belonging among the performers, workers, and animals of a struggling traveling circus. Blue Water’s production leans into the story’s blend of wonder and grit, using puppetry and physical theatre to evoke the emotional heart of the novel.
“This production showcases the incredible artistry and heart of our youth performers,” said Eddie Paul, Artistic Director of the show. “Youth actors are learning puppetry, stilt walking, and acrobatics.”
Performances will be held at Blue Water Theatre Company, located at 605 Rice Street East in Wayzata, with showtimes running December 11 through December 21, 2025. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for youth and seniors. Capacity is limited in Blue Water’s intimate theatre space, and early reservations are encouraged.
Tickets and additional details are available at www.bluewatertheatre.com.
Blue Water Theatre Company is dedicated to elevating youth through theatre education and performance. Through collaboration, creativity, and community engagement, Blue Water empowers young artists to grow as performers and leaders while enriching the cultural life of Wayzata and the Lake Minnetonka area.
Blue Water Theatre Company is currently undertaking its Raise the Roof campaign, a community-driven effort to fund essential building repairs and long-term facility improvements to its home on Rice Street. The campaign supports critical updates to the century-old church-turned-theatre — including roof replacement, structural maintenance, and preservation work — ensuring the space remains safe, vibrant, and accessible for the hundreds of young performers who rehearse and create there each year. Through donations from families, alumni, and supporters of youth arts, Blue Water aims to secure a lasting foundation for future generations of Wayzata-area theatre students.
