Seat of the Pants' 'Elephant's Graveyard' Tackles Disturbing Human Flaws

The visceral play tells the tragic true story of an elephant's execution in 1916 Tennessee.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Seat of the Pants' production of 'Elephant's Graveyard' is a powerful ensemble piece that uses skilled storytelling to bring to life the harrowing 1916 tale of a circus elephant named Mary who was executed by a mob of townspeople in Tennessee. Without physically depicting the elephant, the play crafts a visceral picture of the violence, spectacle, and human flaws that led to Mary's demise.

Why it matters

The play shines a light on humanity's capacity for cruelty and mob mentality, using the real-life tragedy of Mary the elephant to deliver an uncomfortable but important message. By avoiding easy answers and comfortable solutions, 'Elephant's Graveyard' challenges audiences to confront the 'elephant in the room' - the disturbing truths about human nature that are often avoided.

The details

Playwright George Brant's show takes place in a small Tennessee town in 1916, where the arrival of the Sparks Brothers Circus and its famous elephant Mary stirs up excitement and violence. After an incident during the welcome parade, the townspeople call for Mary's execution, leading to a tragic outcome. The play utilizes a cast of 13 in an ensemble piece told through a series of monologues, with each role given equal weight in the storytelling. Director Craig Joseph's in-the-round staging and Stacey Costanzo's scenic design create an immersive circus atmosphere, while Jenniver Sparano's costumes distinguish the townspeople from the circus folk.

  • The play is set in 1916 in a small town in Tennessee.
  • The Sparks Brothers Circus is scheduled to arrive via train.

The players

Seat of the Pants Productions

The theater company producing the play 'Elephant's Graveyard'.

George Brant

The playwright who wrote 'Elephant's Graveyard'.

Craig Joseph

The director of Seat of the Pants' production of 'Elephant's Graveyard'.

Stacey Costanzo

The scenic designer for Seat of the Pants' production of 'Elephant's Graveyard'.

Jenniver Sparano

The costume designer for Seat of the Pants' production of 'Elephant's Graveyard'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is an ensemble piece through and through. It utilizes a cast of 13 to tell the story of Mary and that tiny Tennessee town via a series of monologues.”

— Gwendolyn Kochur, Critic (clevescene.com)

“Audiences sit underneath scenic designer Stacey Costanzo's makeshift circus tent that features strips of drapery that are intermittently raised and lowered. These seats place you only feet–and sometimes mere inches–away from the players. This, combined with the tendency for actors to make direct eye contact, means that there is no question as to the immersiveness of the piece.”

— Gwendolyn Kochur, Critic (clevescene.com)

What’s next

The play 'Elephant's Graveyard' by Seat of the Pants Productions runs through February 22, 2026 at the Gordon Green Event Venue in Cleveland, Ohio. Tickets are available at seatofthepants.org.

The takeaway

Seat of the Pants' 'Elephant's Graveyard' is a powerful and disturbing theatrical experience that uses the true story of a circus elephant's execution to shine a light on humanity's capacity for cruelty and mob mentality. By avoiding easy answers and comfortable solutions, the play challenges audiences to confront the uncomfortable truths about human nature that are often avoided.