The Elephant Speaks Jazz

Enter an imaginative world of wonders where an elephant comes to life with rhythm, jazz and creative storytelling! This world premiere production features an original score with a live jazz band, life-sized puppets, and will wow audiences of all ages.

The Elephant Speaks Jazz follows the neighborhood exploration of sister and brother Lucy and Sam, who stumble upon an unlikely new friend, Ellie the elephant. After sneaking Ellie home, little do they know the wild ride Ellie will take them on: across town, in a lake, and back to her circus home where they discover her hidden talent.

Audiences of The Elephant Speaks Jazz will be immersed in live jazz music that creatively tells an ordinary-into-extraordinary story that children will see their inventive and curious selves in.

—Eric Van Wyk

Production photo by Apropos Photography

Show Credits

Creator: Eric Van Wyk
(concept, puppetry design, scenic design)
Director: Alex Mallory
Composer: Luke Thering
Lighting Design: Justin Thomas
Costume Design: Irina Christel
Sound Design: Brett Huus
Jazz Band:
Jon Ailabouni (trumpet/flugel)
Luke Thering (piano)
Paul Jewson (bass)
Dave Kies (drumset)
Tammy Fisher (drumset sub.)
Photography: Apropos Photography

About

Presented with a grant from the Jim Henson Foundation in collaboration with WonderStruck Theatre Co. as part of Viterbo University's New Works Festival.
Performed by Viterbo University’s BFA Theater and Music Theater students of the Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
Premiered in April of 2022 at the Weber Center, La Crosse WI.

Soundtrack album (2024)

Featuring:

Jon Ailabouni - trumpet & flugelhorn
Luke Thering - piano & composition
Paul Jewson - bass
Dave Kies - drums

𖧋 Audio engineer: Brett Huus (recording & mix)
𖧋 Recorded August 24 & 25, 2022 at Sound Strations (La Crosse, WI)