Pittsburgh Owlscribe

  A few minutes into Water for Elephants, and I began wondering how the production company ever auditioned for the show. I mean I’ve heard of actors who tripled down as theater characters, dancers and singers, but never one in which they also might have to have acrobatic, juggling and gymnastic skills as well. It made me recall the first time I watched Sondheim’s Company on Youtube.com, the one staring Raul Esparza as Bobby. Then, I was aghast to see the actors playing musical instruments in between their cameo roles. Then it dawned on me that some of the acrobats were merely that and may not have been required to dance, sing or act. At any rate, the show is especially acrobatic with some death-defying moments. Like the time a gaggle of gents toss a female actor from place to place through the air like she was some rag doll. Or the way one intrepid fellow shot down a rope head first, stopping just short of the stage by inches. Or the suspended performer who spins on a rope ...