Acrobatics Take Center Stage in "Water for Elephants" at Denver Performing Arts Center

The musical features a unique blend of circus acts and traditional theater.

Feb. 14, 2026 at 4:23am

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The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is currently hosting the musical "Water for Elephants", which is drawing attention for its impressive acrobatic performances in addition to the more traditional song and dance numbers. Students from a local school were invited to watch the acrobats warm up before a recent matinee showing.

Why it matters

The inclusion of high-flying acrobatics in a traditional musical theater production represents an ambitious and innovative approach that is drawing new audiences to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It showcases the versatility of live performance and the ability to blend different artistic disciplines.

The details

"Water for Elephants" tells the story of a man who loses everything and ends up joining a traveling circus. In addition to the musical's songs and dances, the production features an array of acrobatic acts that are woven throughout the performance. The show's dance captain, Summer Severin, noted that the production is trying to do "acrobatics and musical theater and puppetry" all in one ambitious undertaking.

  • The musical "Water for Elephants" is on stage at the Buell Theatre until February 22, 2026.
  • Students from Saint Anne's Episcopal School in Denver were invited to watch the acrobats warm up before a matinee performance on Thursday.

The players

Water for Elephants

A musical production currently being performed at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts that blends traditional musical theater elements with acrobatic circus acts.

Summer Severin

The dance captain for the production of "Water for Elephants" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Saint Anne's Episcopal School

A school in Denver whose students were invited to watch the acrobats warm up before a matinee performance of "Water for Elephants".

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What they’re saying

“It's just a really cool thing for them to come see live theater, especially since there's so many different communities coming together.”

— Summer Severin, Dance Captain

What’s next

The musical "Water for Elephants" will continue its run at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The inclusion of high-flying acrobatics in the musical "Water for Elephants" represents an innovative and ambitious approach to live theater that is drawing new audiences to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and showcasing the versatility of performance art.