The previously announced world premiere of Water for Elephants, adapted as a stage musical from the best-selling Sara Gruen novel, has set dates at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. The new musical will close out the theatre's season, running June 4–July 9, 2023, on the Coca-Cola Stage. Opening night is set for June 16.

The work, about a man who runs away from his life only to find himself with a traveling circus, has been adapted for the stage from Gruen's novel by Tony-nominated playwright Rick Elice (Peter and the Starcatcher, Jersey Boys) and will feature songs by PigPen Theatre Co. Jessica Stone, soon to make her Broadway directorial debut with Kimberly Akimbo, will helm the world premiere, with casting and creative team to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Atlanta theatre's season also includes Katori Hall's The Hot Wing King, directed by Hall; the world premiere musical The Incredible Book Eating Boy, with a book by Madhuri Shekar, music by Christian Magby, and lyrics by Christian Albright; Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Everybody; the return of David H. Bell's adaptation of A Christmas Carol; the world premiere of Stephen Brown's The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd; the world premiere Jimmi Hendrix biomusical The Boy Who Kissed the Sky; and Steven Dietz's Lonely Planet.

Tickets for Water for Elephants are now on sale at AllianceTheatre.org.