Grant Gustin Shares with PEOPLE His Favorite Photos from His Run in Broadway'sWater for Elephants(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Grant Gustin in ‘Water for Elephants’ on Broadway.Photo:Heather Gershonowitz for Playbill, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

Heather Gershonowitz for Playbill, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

Grant Gustin’s time in Broadway’sWater for Elephantswill be gone in a flash. But before the actor, 34, departs the hit musical adaptation of Sara Gruen’s beloved novel, he’s looking back on his favorite memories from his run.

Alongside an exclusive collection of photos, Gustin opens up exclusively with PEOPLE about his experience in the award-winning musical, with which he made his Broadway debut.

TheGleeandFlashalum will play his final performance on Sept. 1.

His wife,LA Thoma, is pregnant with their second child, due soon. The pair, who wed in 2018, are already parents todaughter Juniper Grace Louise, born in August 2021.

The Depression era-set story tells the tale of a young veterinary student who, after being forced to leave school, takes a job as an animal caretaker on a traveling circus. While there, he falls for the star performer — but her cruel husband August (Paul Alexander Nolan) stands in the way of their love.

Told through the eyes of Jankowski’s older self (Gregg Edelman),Water for Elephantsis described as “a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.”

“Being on Broadway has always been a dream of mine and I can’t think of a better story to be telling with my Broadway debut,” Gustin previously told PEOPLE. “It’s about the journey each of us has to take to find your place in the world, and the chosen family you find along the way.”

Read more from Gustin, in his own words, below:

01of 10Post-Audition KismetGrant Gustin/Instagram, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayI snapped this selfie 20 minutes or so after my callback. I was walking back to my hotel and getting ready to fly back home and saw that the show was already being displayed outside The Imperial.I didn’t know yet if I got the part or not, but I sent this to my family and was manifesting it.

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Post-Audition Kismet

Grant Gustin/Instagram, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

I snapped this selfie 20 minutes or so after my callback. I was walking back to my hotel and getting ready to fly back home and saw that the show was already being displayed outside The Imperial.

I didn’t know yet if I got the part or not, but I sent this to my family and was manifesting it.

02of 10Kicking Off the Rehearsal ProcessMatthew Murphy, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayI believe this picture is from our very first day of rehearsal and I was terrified. You’re always nervous on the first day on any new show, but I hadn’t been on stage or had a voice lesson in 13 years.My imposter syndrome was in full force and I just wanted everyone to like me.I have found so much confidence during this process as a singer and actor and feel very lucky to have gotten to spend it with the absolute best group of people I could’ve imaged.

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Kicking Off the Rehearsal Process

Matthew Murphy, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

I believe this picture is from our very first day of rehearsal and I was terrified. You’re always nervous on the first day on any new show, but I hadn’t been on stage or had a voice lesson in 13 years.

My imposter syndrome was in full force and I just wanted everyone to like me.

I have found so much confidence during this process as a singer and actor and feel very lucky to have gotten to spend it with the absolute best group of people I could’ve imaged.

03of 10First Preview BowsTyler Gustin, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayThis shot is from the company bow at our very first preview, and it’s extra-special to me because my brother, Tyler, actually took this one.Getting to share the experience with my brother made a memorable night all the more surreal.

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First Preview Bows

Tyler Gustin, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

This shot is from the company bow at our very first preview, and it’s extra-special to me because my brother, Tyler, actually took this one.

Getting to share the experience with my brother made a memorable night all the more surreal.

04of 10Striking a Pose with Isabella McCallaJenny Anderson, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayThis was taken right after our opening night press carpet, and right before we started getting ready for our opening night performance.I love getting to share the stage with Izzy. She’s such a gifted and generous actor and an equally good person. She’s also an annoying little sister.

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Striking a Pose with Isabella McCalla

Jenny Anderson, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

This was taken right after our opening night press carpet, and right before we started getting ready for our opening night performance.

I love getting to share the stage with Izzy. She’s such a gifted and generous actor and an equally good person. She’s also an annoying little sister.

05of 10Officially OpenJenny Anderson, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayOur opening night curtain call — and the entirety of opening night — is something I will never forget.I think throughout the grind of rehearsals and tech and previews, I started to underestimate how special doing the show on opening night would actually be.The incomparable Gregg Edelman and I don’t get to interact at all during the show, since I play his younger self, but we get to share this hug at curtain call at every performance.

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Officially Open

Our opening night curtain call — and the entirety of opening night — is something I will never forget.

I think throughout the grind of rehearsals and tech and previews, I started to underestimate how special doing the show on opening night would actually be.

The incomparable Gregg Edelman and I don’t get to interact at all during the show, since I play his younger self, but we get to share this hug at curtain call at every performance.

06of 10On-Stage Rivals, Off-Stage FriendsJenny Anderson, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayPaul Nolan is one of the best actors I have ever seen on stage, and getting to work with him every night has been exhilarating.He’s truly a force. He’s also a child and goofball behind the scenes, and I love him.This was when I came to find him at our opening night party to say goodnight. You can clearly see that we don’t get along.

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On-Stage Rivals, Off-Stage Friends

Paul Nolan is one of the best actors I have ever seen on stage, and getting to work with him every night has been exhilarating.

He’s truly a force. He’s also a child and goofball behind the scenes, and I love him.

This was when I came to find him at our opening night party to say goodnight. You can clearly see that we don’t get along.

07of 10Making Our AlbumEvan Zimmerman, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayThis is from one of the two days we spent recording the cast album.Getting to be a part of an original cast recording was quite possibly the thing that excited me the most when I got this job. There was a period of my adolescence where the only music I listened to was pretty much exclusively Broadway cast recordings.

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Making Our Album

Evan Zimmerman, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on Broadway

This is from one of the two days we spent recording the cast album.

Getting to be a part of an original cast recording was quite possibly the thing that excited me the most when I got this job. There was a period of my adolescence where the only music I listened to was pretty much exclusively Broadway cast recordings.

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Daddy-Daughter Time

She sometimes now will cross her arms and do this pose with a little smirk on her face.

09of 10Friendly (Famous) FacesTyler Gustin, Courtesy of Water for ElephantsHaving visitors come through to see the show is always amazing. Sometimes it’s friends and family, and sometimes it’s Steven Spielberg and Mike Faist.

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Friendly (Famous) Faces

Tyler Gustin, Courtesy of Water for Elephants

Having visitors come through to see the show is always amazing. Sometimes it’s friends and family, and sometimes it’s Steven Spielberg and Mike Faist.

10of 10Lifting Me UpHeather Gershonowitz for Playbill, Courtesy of Water for Elephants on BroadwayEvery night, during fight call and lift call, we practice what we call “the ladder lift.“It’s the moment that starts my show and it truly feels like I’m shot out of a cannon as I jump into the story.I love it. And I’m going to miss it.

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Lifting Me Up

Every night, during fight call and lift call, we practice what we call “the ladder lift.”

It’s the moment that starts my show and it truly feels like I’m shot out of a cannon as I jump into the story.

I love it. And I’m going to miss it.

Water for Elephantsis now playing at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.

Tickets are on sale now.

source: people.com