Lake Zurich native Zachary Keller returns to Chicago as the lead in national touring production of ‘Water for Elephants’

Growing up as the youngest of four siblings, Zachary Keller did what most younger siblings do. When his older siblings took an interest in theater, Keller followed in their footsteps.

Born in Barrington and raised in Lake Zurich, Keller got his acting start when he was around 10. Represented by Gray Talent Group, he started doing regional theater and commercials in Chicago.

Since acting as a child, Keller has worked at many theaters in the Chicago area, including Steppenwolf Theatre, Marriott Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre. His theater credits include “John Proctor is the Villain,” “And Then There Were None” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He also appeared on TV shows such as “Shameless,” “Law and Order” and “Chicago Med.”

“I’ve been kind of rediscovering and reconnecting with why I loved (acting) as a child,” Keller said. “I realized that it’s a way to process my own emotions through this other character and, on top of that, you get to bring joy to so many people.”

Keller currently stars as the leading man in the North American tour of “Water for Elephants.” The hit Broadway musical made its Chicago premiere Tuesday at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. The show will run in Chicago until July 5.

Based on the critically acclaimed bestselling novel by Sara Gruen, “Water for Elephants” tells the story of veterinary student Jacob Jankowski, played by Keller, who hops a moving train after losing everything and finds a home with a traveling circus during the Great Depression.

“I got to see the Broadway production when it first opened, and so it’s just weird and surreal to think back that, as I was sitting there watching it, I had no idea that I would be leading the national tour of it,” Keller said.

He said it “means the world” to him to return home for “Water for Elephants.”

“Since I had done shows as a kid, the scene here has changed completely,” Keller said. “I’m excited to come back and see how that shifted.”

In high school, Keller initially decided to major in marketing. That was until he played Roger in the Illinois All-State show of “Rent” during his senior year.

“‘Rent’ was definitely a very big turning point for me,” he said. “Getting to do it on a level that I had never really experienced, in terms of being a lead of a show with other people who are extraordinarily talented, it’s different than being the child actor in a show.”

Keller switched his major to musical theater and graduated from Ball State University in 2020. He eventually moved to New York, where working in regional theater productions, TV and commercials led him to another opportunity: auditioning for a Broadway production.

Robert Tully, who plays Mr. Jankowski — the older version of Jacob in “Water for Elephants” — first met Keller during rehearsals for the show. Tully described him as very outgoing and “the package.”

“He can sing, dance, act — he’s a triple threat, but he’s also got the mood and the temperament and the intelligence to really go a long way,” Tully said.

He said he is impressed by how Keller has approached challenges that are not typical of a Broadway show, like acrobatics.

“It’s been so cool to get to learn new skills,” Keller said. “I hang from a trapeze at a time in the show while singing. I get to do so many cool tricks, and I’ve learned how to work with puppets.”

To prepare for the physicality of the role, Keller worked with a vocal coach who said, “We’re gonna Taylor Swift this thing.” This involved Keller singing while running on a treadmill, like Swift did to train for her tour.

Keller also prepared for this role by meeting an elephant at a zoo in Baltimore. The experience shifted how he interacts with the elephant puppet on stage.

“That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Keller said.

When he’s not acting, he enjoys photography, salsa dancing, writing music and traveling.

“It’s easy as an actor to put your career over your life,” Keller said. “I’m very fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity to be able to explore the country while making a good living doing the thing that I love.”

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“Water for Elephants”

Location: James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, broadwayinchicago.com/shows/water-for-elephants/

Showtimes: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 25-26; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, and Saturday, July 4; 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, and Thursday and Friday, July 2-3; 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 5

Tickets: Start at $53

Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes, including intermission

Rating: For ages 8 and older

Parking: 20 E. Randolph St., Chicago