Grant Gustin Shares with PEOPLE His Favorite Photos from His Run in Broadway's “Water for Elephants” (Exclusive)

The actor will play his final performance in the hit musical on Sunday, Sept. 1

Grant Gustin's time in Broadway's Water for Elephants will be gone in a flash. But before the actor, 34, departs the hit musical adaptation of Sara Gruen’s beloved novel, he's looking back on his favorite memories from his run.

Alongside an exclusive collection of photos, Gustin opens up exclusively with PEOPLE about his experience in the award-winning musical, with which he made his Broadway debut.

The Glee and Flash alum will play his final performance on Sept. 1.

His wife, LA Thoma, is pregnant with their second child, due soon. The pair, who wed in 2018, are already parents to daughter Juniper Grace Louise, born in August 2021.

"Love these people and I love this show," Gustin wrote on Instagram in July, when he announced his departure. "Come on through before we head home to welcome baby number 2 ????."

In Water for Elephants, Gustin plays Jacob Jankowski opposite Isabelle McCalla as Marlena. The two roles were popularized by Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in the 2011 film version.

The Depression era-set story tells the tale of a young veterinary student who, after being forced to leave school, takes a job as an animal caretaker on a traveling circus. While there, he falls for the star performer — but her cruel husband August (Paul Alexander Nolan) stands in the way of their love.

Told through the eyes of Jankowski's older self (Gregg Edelman), Water for Elephants is described as "a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age."

"Being on Broadway has always been a dream of mine and I can’t think of a better story to be telling with my Broadway debut," Gustin previously told PEOPLE. "It’s about the journey each of us has to take to find your place in the world, and the chosen family you find along the way."

Read more from Gustin, in his own words, below:

Post-Audition Kismet

I snapped this selfie 20 minutes or so after my callback. I was walking back to my hotel and getting ready to fly back home and saw that the show was already being displayed outside The Imperial.

I didn’t know yet if I got the part or not, but I sent this to my family and was manifesting it.

Kicking Off the Rehearsal Process

I believe this picture is from our very first day of rehearsal and I was terrified. You’re always nervous on the first day on any new show, but I hadn’t been on stage or had a voice lesson in 13 years.

My imposter syndrome was in full force and I just wanted everyone to like me.

I have found so much confidence during this process as a singer and actor and feel very lucky to have gotten to spend it with the absolute best group of people I could’ve imaged.

First Preview Bows

This shot is from the company bow at our very first preview, and it’s extra-special to me because my brother, Tyler, actually took this one.

Getting to share the experience with my brother made a memorable night all the more surreal.

Striking a Pose with Isabella McCalla

This was taken right after our opening night press carpet, and right before we started getting ready for our opening night performance.

I love getting to share the stage with Izzy. She’s such a gifted and generous actor and an equally good person. She’s also an annoying little sister.

Officially Open

Our opening night curtain call — and the entirety of opening night — is something I will never forget.

I think throughout the grind of rehearsals and tech and previews, I started to underestimate how special doing the show on opening night would actually be.

The incomparable Gregg Edelman and I don’t get to interact at all during the show, since I play his younger self, but we get to share this hug at curtain call at every performance.

On-Stage Rivals, Off-Stage Friends

Paul Nolan is one of the best actors I have ever seen on stage, and getting to work with him every night has been exhilarating.

He’s truly a force. He’s also a child and goofball behind the scenes, and I love him.

This was when I came to find him at our opening night party to say goodnight. You can clearly see that we don’t get along.

Making Our Album

This is from one of the two days we spent recording the cast album.

Getting to be a part of an original cast recording was quite possibly the thing that excited me the most when I got this job. There was a period of my adolescence where the only music I listened to was pretty much exclusively Broadway cast recordings.

Daddy-Daughter Time

This image of our principal company and some of our incredible acrobats sits outside The Imperial by our stage door and its been a really cool place to grab pictures with friends and family — none more special then the shots that I have with my daughter, Junie.

She sometimes now will cross her arms and do this pose with a little smirk on her face.

Friendly (Famous) Faces

Having visitors come through to see the show is always amazing. Sometimes it’s friends and family, and sometimes it’s Steven Spielberg and Mike Faist.

Lifting Me Up

Every night, during fight call and lift call, we practice what we call “the ladder lift."

It’s the moment that starts my show and it truly feels like I’m shot out of a cannon as I jump into the story.

I love it. And I'm going to miss it.

Water for Elephants is now playing at the Imperial Theatre in New York City.

The musical features direction from Tony nominee Jessica Stone, a book by Tony nominee Rick Elice, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.

Tickets are on sale now.

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