Synopsis
In the middle of the 19th century, Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum introduces his circus acts as he stands in front of a tent, proclaiming ("There Is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute"). He loves spectacle and excitement, using hype and "humbug" to promote his exhibits. His wife Charity disagrees with his use of "humbug" but loves him and aims to keep him grounded. Barnum then introduces the oldest woman alive, Joice Heth, and thanks to some Barnum humbug she becomes a success ("Thank God I'm Old"). His wife Charity ("Chairy") urges him to get a job in a factory, but Barnum refuses ("The Colors of My Life art One) and Charity wryly admits and accepts the disparity between their views ("The Colors of My Life art Two). Barnum enlists clowns to help in building a museum to house his attractions (with expected comical results) and it's up to Charity to encourage him to keep going ("One Brick at a Time"), with the result that "everything about ismuseum was spectacular" ("Museum Song"); however, the museum burns down accidentally. Barnum finds two new star attractions, Tom Thumb, who appears to advise that "Bigger Isn't Better", and Jumbo the elephant. Barnum then becomes manager of the famous Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind ("Love Makes Such Fools of Us All"). Barnum becomes enamored of her and sees the attraction of going on tour with her ("Out There"). He accompanies Jenny on tour, leaving Charity behind, as a marching band greets them ("Come Follow the Band"). Although all seems to be going well for Barnum, he finds that without Charity in his life he is miserable, and he decides to break ties with Jenny and return home to the woman he loves ("Love Makes Such Fools of Us All eprise). Upon his return to Charity, he promises to live the more sedate life she desires for him, in "Black and White." After a failed stint running a clockworks factory and a failed attempt to build his own city, he turns to politics; when his campaign looks doomed to fail due to lack of interest, Charity realizes how important his talents and passion are in his life and allows him to inject color and life into his campaign. He is elected Mayor of Bridgeport, and the two of them recognize the value in each other's approach to life and how they complement one another ("The Colors of My Life eprise). Barnum is prepared to run for Senator, but his beloved Charity dies suddenly, leaving Barnum bereft and alone. When Barnum finds himself cheated of the Senatorial nomination by his political party, he laments his position, realizes that his talent for Humbug will never leave him and wishes to "make it right, shoot a rocket, shine a light" ("Prince of Humbug"). James Anthony Bailey arrives and offers him the chance to "Join the Circus". Initially resisting, he relents (thanks in part to Charity's two-headed coin, which she has used to humbug him throughout the show) and joins Bailey, and they form the famous circus Barnum and Bailey. In "a princely final attraction", Barnum appears before the audience ("The Final Event: There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" eprise) and reflects on his past:Musical numbers
; Act I * "Overture Chase" * "There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" – Barnum * "Humble Beginnings Chase" * "Thank God I'm Old" – Joice Heth and Tambourine Players * "The Colors of My Life" (Part 1) – Barnum * "The Colors of My Life" (Part 2) – Charity * "One Brick at a Time" – Charity, Barnum and Bricklayers * "Museum Song" – Barnum * "Female of the Species Chase" * "I Like Your Style" – Barnum and Charity * "Bigger Isn't Better" – Tom Thumb * "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All" – Jenny Lind * "Midway Chase" * "Out There" – Barnum and Charity ; Act II * "Come Follow the Band" – Potomac Marching Band and Washingtonians * "Black and White" – Charity, Choir, Blues Singer, Barnum and Citizens of Bridgeport * "The Colors of My Life" (Reprise) – Barnum and Charity * "The Prince of Humbug" – Barnum * "Join the Circus" – Bailey, Circus Performers and Barnum * "Finale Chase" * "The Final Event: There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" (Reprise) The following list was used for the Chichester and UK tour productions, although many of the chases were still used: Act One * There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute - Barnum * Thank God I'm Old - Joice Heth * The Colors of My Life - Charity and Barnum * One Brick at a Time - Charity and Ensemble * Museum Song - Barnum * I Like Your Style - Chairy and Barnum * Bigger isn't Better - Tom Thumb and Ensemble * Love Makes Such Fools of Us All - Jenny Lind * Out There - Barnum Act Two * Come Follow The Band - Barnum and Ensemble * Love Makes Such Fools of Us All (Reprise) - Jenny Lind * Black and White - Charity, Barnum and Ensemble * I Like Your Style - The Colours of My Life (Reprise) - Charity and Barnum * Barnum's Lament - Barnum * Join the Circus - Barnum, Bailey and Ensemble * Finale - BarnumCast
;Production history
Original Broadway production (1980-82)
The original production opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway, on April 30, 1980, and closed on May 16, 1982, after 854 performances and 26 previews. It was directed and choreographed by Joe Layton, with scenic design by David Mitchell, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design by Craig Miller. The musical starred Jim Dale as P.T. Barnum, Glenn Close as Charity Barnum, Marianne Tatum as Jenny Lind, Terri White as Joice Heth, and Terrence Mann as Chester Lyman (he also understudied Dale as Barnum). During Jim Dale's vacation in May 1981, the part of Barnum was played byOriginal London production and UK tours (1981-86)
The show made its West End debut on June 11, 1981, at the London Palladium, where it ran for 655 performances. The London cast included Michael Crawford as P.T. Barnum, Deborah Grant as Charity Barnum and Sarah Payne as Jenny Lind. Crawford reprised his role opposite Eileen Battye in a UK Tour of the show which ran between 1984 and 1986, stopping off at various venues including the Manchester Opera House and a West End revival at the Victoria Palace Theatre. The tour was recorded for television and broadcast by theChichester revival (2013) and UK tour (2014-15)
Two-timeLondon revival (2017-18)
The show received a furtherNewbury revival (2024)
A new production will open at the Watermill Theatre,Other productions
Recording
The Original Broadway Cast recording was released in 1980 and issued on CD in 1986. The London cast album ''Michael Crawford in Barnum'' was released on January 1, 1994, by Musicrama, Inc. The original Madrid cast album (starring Emilio Aragón) was released in 1984 by BAT Discos S.A. Now a collector's item, this Spanish language recording has never been released on CD. A French cast album (ZL 37467) starring Jean-Luc Moreau was released in 1981; it is unknown at this time if a CD version has been released. An Australian cast recording was released starring Reg Livermore by RCA Victor.Response
According to Don Wilmeth, ''Barnum'' "was blessed with a brilliant production by director-choreographer Joe Layton, who turned the theatre into a circus, and a memorable performance by Jim Dale." Thomas Hischak wrote: "Joe Layton directed and choreographed with inventive and colorful theatrics, and imDale endeared himself to audiences by singing, dancing, walking a tightrope, clowning, and riding a unicycle, most of which had nothing to do with anything. Critics carped but playgoers knew a fun show when they saw one so the show ran for 854 performances."Hischak, Thomas S. (2008). ''The Oxford Companion to the American Musical''. Oxford University Press US. , p. 51Awards and nominations
See also
* '' The Greatest Showman'', a 2017 AmericanReferences
External links
*