Entertainment
Water for Elephants at the Broward Center is a Heartfelt Circus Spectacle That Soars
When Life Feels Like a Moving Train, Water for Elephants Shows How One Leap Can Lead to Aerial Acrobatics, Heartfelt Music, and a Circus Family That Reminds Us Anything Is Possible.
November 11th, 2025
Zachary Keller as Jacob Jankowski, Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
There’s a kind of magic that happens when a show manages to transport you completely to a world where the impossible feels tangible and where every movement, note, and glance tells a story. Water for Elephants, running at the Broward Center through November 23rd, does exactly that. From the moment the curtain rises, it’s impossible to look away.
Zachary Keller and the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade
The production is grandiose in the best way, utilizing a large, dynamic ensemble reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil stage. There’s seemingly always a cast member in the background, performing jaw-dropping feats of strength, balance, and contortion, and at times ascending on aerial silks, turning the stage into a living, breathing circus. Even the animals or at least the puppets representing them become dancers in this mesmerizing whirlwind. The elephant design, in particular, is a surreal triumph with detailed and expressive features and eyes that seem to blink just for you.
Helen Krushinski, Robert Tully, Zachary Keller, and Yves Artieres, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
Choreography by Tony Award nominees Jesse Robb and Shana Carroll is playful, daring, and intimate. Jump ropes, juggling, and acrobatics punctuate the story yet never overwhelm it. Each moment feels purposeful and celebrates the circus’s scrappy and resilient spirit. “Squeaky Wheel” in Act II exemplifies this, an upbeat, rough-edged, yet heartfelt rallying cry performed by an ensemble including Javier Garcia (Camel), Ruby Gibbs (Barbara), Tyler West (Walter) and Zachary Keller (Jacob). Garcia’s national tour debut as Camel radiates seasoned energy and grounds the ensemble in authenticity.
Zachary Keller, Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and the cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
But this is not just a showcase of spectacle. At the heart of the production are Jacob, played by Zachary Keller, and Marlena, played by Helen Krushinski, whose chemistry is picture perfect. Krushinski, in particular, shines, and her Act I rendition of “Easy” was a show-stopping moment that hints she is a star in the making. Their romance, set against the backdrop of a Depression era circus, is both tender and exhilarating.
Helen Krushinski and Zachary Keller, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
Costume designer David I. Reynoso deserves his own standing ovation. He blends the drab grit of the Great Depression with the flamboyant excess of circus life, creating a visual feast that complements Bradley King’s evocative mood lighting. Every costume from sequins to suspenders adds texture and depth to this fully realized world.
The Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
The narrative, adapted from Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice, is as poignant as it is adventurous. Through the eyes of an older Jacob, we witness a young man who after losing everything jumps on a moving train into the unknown and finds a home among extraordinary circus performers. It is a story that reminds us life can begin again even after heartbreak and even at any age.
Connor Sullivan, Helen Krushinski, and Zachary Keller, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
With direction by two-time Tony nominee Jessica Stone, a soaring score by PigPen Theatre Co., and award-winning contributions across puppetry, fight choreography, sound, and orchestrations, Water for Elephants is an emotional, imaginative, and utterly unforgettable experience. It is perfect for anyone eight and up, though adults and older teens will likely savor it the most. At 2 hours and 25 minutes, including intermission, it is an immersive ride that leaves you breathless, teary-eyed, and ready to snuggle a loved one.
Helen Krushinski and Zachary Keller, Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade
In short, Water for Elephants is not just a musical. It is a celebration of courage, love, and the circus itself, a dazzling reminder that life’s most extraordinary moments often arrive when you take the leap.
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From neuroscience to cryotherapy, the Eudēmonia Summit turned flourishing into a full sensory experience. Every corner offered something new to taste, try, or feel.
November 17, 2025
Eudēmonia might be an unfamiliar word, but its meaning is timeless. Flourishing. Living well. Thriving in every sense. And that spirit defined the entire second annual Eudēmonia Summit in West Palm Beach, where science, wellness, and curiosity came together for a weekend that felt both grounding and energizing.
From the moment guests stepped inside the Palm Beach Convention Center, the tone was set. The lighting was warm, the installations thoughtfully designed, and the air carried a calm that encouraged everyone to slow down and simply take it all in. Attendees wandered through the space with a mix of wonder and intention, sampling wellness drinks, speaking with experts, stretching through guided movement zones, and exploring an impressive collection of new health technologies. It felt like stepping into a world where taking care of yourself was the main priority.
The speaker lineup delivered nonstop inspiration. Andrew Huberman translated neuroscience into everyday tools. Amy Shah made gut health refreshingly clear. Dave Asprey drew crowds eager to understand longevity from a practical angle. Dan Buettner brought the joy and storytelling behind the Blue Zones to life. Halle Berry added a touch of movie star brilliance and genuine heart as she shared her personal approach to wellness. Each session felt polished, purposeful, and packed with insights that guests immediately wanted to try at home.
The Exposome floor was the true heartbeat of the event. It buzzed with people rotating between red light therapy, cryotherapy boosts, aromatherapy experiences, meditation pods, hydration bars, and interactive recovery stations. Brands showcased products that blended science with sensory appeal, and guests moved between booths with an easy mix of curiosity and play. Everywhere you looked, someone was discovering something new.
What made the weekend stand out was how natural the sense of community felt. Conversations sparked over tastings, product demos, and shared favorite sessions. People compared wellness readings, swapped recommendations, and connected over a mutual desire to feel better and live with intention. Nothing felt forced or overly formal. Instead, the summit created space for authentic connection and genuine enthusiasm.
At the center of everything was the idea of the exposome, the concept that our daily environment shapes our health far more than we often realize. The food we eat, the stress we carry, the people we interact with, and the choices we make again and again all leave an imprint. Throughout the weekend this idea transformed from theory into something beautifully practical. Guests began seeing small daily habits as powerful tools rather than obligations.
By the end of the summit, attendees walked out with tote bags filled with wellness products and notebooks full of ideas, but more importantly, they left with a refreshed understanding of what it means to truly flourish. The second year of Eudēmonia felt bigger, smarter, and more vibrant than the first, signaling that it is quickly becoming one of the most compelling wellness gatherings in South Florida.
If flourishing had a destination this weekend, it was here.
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