The Vanishing Elephant
Closed 1h 10m
The Vanishing Elephant
84

The Vanishing Elephant NYC Reviews and Tickets

84%
(11 Ratings)
Positive
91%
Mixed
9%
Negative
0%
Members say
Absorbing, Great staging, Enchanting, Entertaining, Intelligent

About the Show

An elephant's journey from India to America, performing with Houdini while yearning for home.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (10)

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108 Reviews | 30 Followers
94
Enchanting, Delightful, Clever, Absorbing

See it if You want to see a very touching well acted show. It is great for grown-ups also.

Don't see it if You just don’t like elephants

752 Reviews | 145 Followers
90
Enchanting, Entertaining, Absorbing, Great staging

See it if This Show is good for both kids and adults about a elephant, with a good cast of actors. The use of puppets.

Don't see it if Not for young kids.

143 Reviews | 12 Followers
90
Profound, Intelligent, Great staging, Enchanting, Absorbing

See it if You want to spend less than 90 minutes at a show with no real sets, but amazing acting, puppetry and story. It was extremely moving.

Don't see it if You don’t want to cry and be moved. If you have issues with horrible treatment of animals. If you don’t like puppets.

269 Reviews | 81 Followers
90
Intelligent, Entertaining, Relevant, Sensitive, Absorbing

See it if A well told story touching many facets outside the obvious is special to you. This theatre, focused on a youthful audience touches us all.

Don't see it if You are looking for a big production. I really liked what they achieved with what they had.

519 Reviews | 256 Followers
86
Great writing, Great staging, Great acting, Exquisite, Enchanting

See it if Janu, a lovely elephant, takes you on a journey from Bengal to Bway while addressing important subject matters on how we treat animals.*

Don't see it if U may think this perf art show is x kids only. Although there are lots of short ppl in the audience, the show appeals to any animal lover. Read more

712 Reviews | 401 Followers
86
Great writing, Great staging, Great acting, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if Beautifully narrated & written about a life of captured Indian elephant. The play touches on colonialism, class & treatment of animals.

Don't see it if No negative comments.

133 Reviews | 22 Followers
85
Exquisite, Absorbing, Profound, Great staging, Enchanting

See it if If you've any interest in puppetry, this piece is masterfully and beautifully done. Particularly resonant for animal lovers.

Don't see it if Odds are fairly high you will be seated near at least one restless, fidgeting child. Bring your patience.

1122 Reviews | 324 Followers
78
Quirky, Intelligent, Slow, Thought-provoking, Disappointing

See it if you like pleasant stories that touch on important issues. The cast was generally good.

Don't see it if you want a show that knows what it want to be-I found it not for kids and not for adults, inconsistent puppetry and lighting, and confusing.

Critic Reviews (2)

The New York Times
October 19th, 2023

CRITIC’S PICK: “...’The Vanishing Elephant,' a show that aims to dazzle audiences 8 and older while also exposing them to the harsh realities of wildlife captivity and human suffering...this alluring spectacle makes powerful statements about the rights of both animals and people.”
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Theatermania
October 18th, 2023

“That’s not to say that they were always engaged. Despite some attempts at humor in Way’s script, the jokes rarely land, and that can be lethal in a show geared toward kids...Nonetheless, ‘The Vanishing Elephant‘s’ theatricality and overall message about caring for animals is a good jumping-off point for conversations at home and is worth the 70-minute visit to Stage 42.”
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