Barnum (musical)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barnum is a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical with book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman.
Based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum, the production combines elements of traditional musical theater with the spectacle of the circus. The characters include jugglers, trapeze artists, and clowns as well as such real-life personalities as Jenny Lind, General Tom Thumb, and Susan B. Anthony.
After 26 previews, the show - directed and choreographed by Joe Layton - opened on April 30, 1980 at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 854 performances. The opening night cast included Jim Dale, Glenn Close, Marianne Tatum, and Terrence Mann.
The West End production opened on June 11, 1981 at the London Palladium, where it ran for 655 performances. Michael Crawford and Deborah Grant headed the cast. Crawford repeated his role for a television version broadcast by the BBC in 1986.
[edit] Song list
- "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute"
- "Thank God I'm Old"
- "The Colors of My Life"
- "One Brick at a Time"
- "Museum Song"
- "I Like Your Style"
- "Bigger Isn't Better"
- "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All"
- "Out There"
- "Come Follow the Band"
- "Black and White"
- "The Prince of Humbug"
- "Join the Circus"
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Tony Award for Best Musical (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Dale, winner)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Close, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Costume Design (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Lighting Design (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)
- Theatre World Award (Tatum, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Dale, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award Outstanding Set Design (nominee)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Crawford, winner)
