Jessica Stone, who knits Broadway and circus in thrilling ‘Water for Elephants,’ enjoys a Tony nod

NEW YORK — You don’t initially see a full elephant at the Broadway musical “Water for Elephants.” It’s more like a tease. The New York Times called it “a stunning, emotional production that ”leads with movement, eye candy and awe.” Variety raved that Stone brought “it all under one spectacular tent without forgetting its human — and animal — hearts.” Her skill is on show with the first big song — “The Road Don’t Make You Young” — a nine-minute, upbeat number that involves 23 performers, singing, dancing and flipping. We’ve had to build it in for safety.” The cast of the musical “Water For Elephants.” Rick Elice, the playwright of “Jersey Boys” and “Peter and the Starcatcher” who earned a Tony nod for “Water for Elephants,” said he was intrigued when Stone auditioned as director and spoke her mind even about elements that seemed non-negotiable, like his initial framing device. “Water for Elephants,” framed as an elderly former circus worker fondly looking back, joins a raft of recent memory plays on Broadway like “Mother Play,” “The Notebook,”“A Beautiful Noise” and “Harmony.” “It’s not like we all got in a room and said, ’You know what?