Mar 30, 2026 By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger 4 min read

After a devastating loss, a young man hops aboard a moving train with no clear destination-only to find an unexpected sense of home among the performers of a traveling circus.

Hailed as a critic’s pick by The New York Times, the musical “Water for Elephants”-based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel-will be at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center Tuesday and continue through April 5.

The story, which takes place during The Great Depression, blends romance, spectacle and danger during an era when grit was part of survival and bonds were formed under the Big Top.

Returning to her hometown

Helen Krushinski, who plays Marlena in the production, is looking forward to coming home.

“I only performed at the Benedum once while growing up and can’t wait to return again,” said Krushinski, who graduated from Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia. For local audiences, “Water for Elephants” is a chance to experience a story of resilience, love and belonging.

“It has so much heart,” Krushinski said.

Her path to the national tour began early. She began performing at age 4 at the Wexford Dance Academy. When she was 7, she performed in “Seussical” while continuing to take ballet classes.

“It was my first love,” she said.

When Krushinski’s mother, with a background in musical theater and opera, opened her own acting studio, Krushinski continued her immersion in the arts.

“I’m grateful for the foundation that she instilled in me,” Krushinski said.

By high school, Krushinski had set her sights on a career in theater, earning a spot in the University of Michigan’s competitive musical theater program. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue professional opportunities.

Like many performers, she faced challenges during the post-pandemic slowdown. While auditioning, she supported herself by being a part-time nanny and later worked at a preschool-determined to stay the course until the right role came along.

That opportunity, it turned out, ended up being like nothing she’d ever done before.

With the greatest of ease

“In ‘Water for Elephants,’ Marlena is the equestrian and trapeze artist married to ringleader August. She keeps things under control,” said Krushinski.

The role requires not only skill in acting and singing, but also a significant amount of physical skill. During auditions, Krushinski got an early clue when she was asked if she was afraid of heights.

“I started slowly, just sitting on the trapeze, then worked my way up to being 2 feet off the ground with a mat. By week two, I was at show height,” Krushinski said, adding that although she is confident about her safety, there are safety measures in place.

“The actor playing Jacob is pretty strong and is capable of catching me should something go wrong,” she explained.

There’s always something to see on stage with a production that relies heavily on physicality.

“The cast is so strong. There’s always something happening,” Krushinski said. “People are flying, climbing scaffolding-it’s just magical.”

A visual spectacle

Critics have praised the production for its staging. Theater journalist Joe Dziemianowicz noted the production’s “clever stagecraft,” including moments involving a big circus tent. “It’s raised in no time flat before our eyes and makes for a wonderfully theatrical moment,” he said.

Dziemianowicz said he found himself focused on the projected backdrop of the sky that shifts from a warm and inviting blue, to a more forbidding and isolating orange streaked with gray. He described it as “like a giant mood ring.”

“I think people may be surprised at the spectacle-the music, the circus acts, the puppetry,” said Krushinski. “It all comes together beautifully at the end.”

Coming full circle

Krushinski said that returning to Pittsburgh adds another layer of meaning to her work.

“Knowing that my community helped nourish my love for the arts and that they’ll be there watching-it’s going to feel like nothing I’ve ever felt before,” she said.