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Barnum

Join the circus! A joyful and moving musical portrait of the 19th century’s greatest show-biz legend, Barnum is a colorful, dynamic spectacle with heart.

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Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Dramatic Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 19th Century
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Mild Adult Themes
  • Orchestra Size: Large

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary, College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 2 Tony Awards including Best Actor (1980)
    Winner! Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor (1980)
    Winner! Theatre World Award (1980)
    Winner! Olivier Award for Best Actor (1981)
P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, combines razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell “humbug” to cheering crowds. A joyful and moving musical portrait of the 19th century’s greatest show-biz legend, Barnum is a colorful, dynamic spectacle with heart.

Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart’s rousing score includes “There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute,” “Join the Circus,” “The Colors of My Life” and “Come Follow The Band.”
REVIEWS:

"Barnum simply bursts with melodies – ballads, marches, ragtime strut numbers, burlesque turns – and they have been orchestrated to raise the rafters by the incomparable Hershy Kay."

Frank Rich, The New York Times

"Cy Coleman’s music and Michael Stewart’s lyrics... brilliantly conjure spit and sawdust romance and old-fashioned razzmatazz."

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph

"A show that can’t fail to entertain."

Cameron Woodhead, The Sydney Morning Herald

"Cy Coleman’s score has a brassy verve and Michael Stewart’s lyrics are bright."

Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard

Premiere Production: Barnum opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway on April 30, 1980, starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close. The production, which briefly featured Tony Orlando in the title role, played for 854 performances.

Characters

  • Casting: 2M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Role(s) for Black Actor(s), Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle), Expandable casting
  • Chorus Size: Large

  • Principals:
    PHINEAS TAYLOR BARNUM - The Prince of Hamburg
    JOICE HETH - The Oldest Woman Alive
    CHAIRY BARNUM - P.T. Barnum's Wife
    TOM THUMB - Smallest Man in the World
    JENNY LIND - Swedish Soprano
    BLUES SINGER - A Black Woman. Same as Joice Heth.
    JAMES A. BAILEY - Small Circus Owner

    Supporting:
    RINGMASTER - Circus Performer. Same as James A. Bailey.
    JULIUS GOLDSCHMIDT - Jenny Lind's Manager
    AMOS SUDDER - Owner of the American Museum
    SHERWOOD STRATTON - Tom Thumb's Father
    MRS. SHERWOOD STRATTON - Tom Thumb’s Mother
    WILTON - Barnum’s Assistant on the Jenny Lind Tour
    EDGAR TEMPLETON - Political Party Boss
    HUMBERT MORRISSEY - Political Party Boss

    Featured
    FIRST WOMAN - “Women’s Emporium” scene
    SECOND WOMAN - “Women’s Emporium” scene
    CONCERTMASTER - “Jenny Lind Concert” scene

    TUMBLERS, JUGGLERS, CLOWNS, AERIALISTS, ACROBATS, GYMNASTS, BRICKLAYERS, PASSERBY, MUSEUM PATRONS, STRONGMEN, BEEFEATERS, THE "MOB" IN GENERAL, THE BRIDGEPORT PAGEANT CHOIR and BANDS OF EVERY SHAPE, SIZE AND DESCRIPTION.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

    1 x Prompt Book & Vocal-Chorus Book

    		$24.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    25 x Libretto/Vocal-Chorus Books
    1 x Piano-Conductor's Score

    		$550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    2 Violin
    1 Cello
    1 Bass

    1 Reed I: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Soprano Saxophone
    1 Reed II: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone (cue Stage Pennywhistle)
    1 Reed III: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
    1 Reed IV: Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
    1 Reed V: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone

    1 Trumpet I (Doubling Piccolo Trumpet & Cornet)
    1 Trumpet II (Doubling Cornet)
    1 Trumpet III
    1 Trombone I (Doubling Euphonium)
    1 Trombone II (cue Stage Trombone)
    1 Trombone III (with Bass attachment)
    1 Tuba (Doubling Sousaphone)

    1 Drums:

    Bass Drum
    Snare Drum
    Tom-Tom
    Wood Block
    Cowbell

    Cymbals:
    Hi-Hat
    Suspended Cymbal
    Ride Cymbal

    Temple Blocks
    Bell Tree
    Whip
    Police Whistle
    cue for Stage Snare Drum

    "One Man Band": Bass Drum with Cymbal attached.

    1 Percussion:

    Timpani (2)
    Xylophone
    Bells
    Wood Block
    Tambourine

    Triangle
    Ratchet
    Police Whistle
    Hand Siren
    Mouth Siren
    Steel Plate
    Fire Bell Noise

    Finger Cymbals
    Cymbals:
    Suspended (2)
    Bass Drum with Cymbal attachment
    Auto Horn (Ai-oo-ga)
    Bulb Horn (Honk-Honk)
    cue Stage Concertina

    Pit Orchestra Trap Drums when Drummer is with Marching Band

    1 Guitar (Doubling Banjo) (cue for Stage Banjo)
    1 Stage Violin & Viola
    1 Piano I & II

    Piano-Conductor's Score sent with rehearsal material.

    1 Marching Band (set of 20 parts):
    "There Is A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute"
    "Come Follow The Band"
    (Orchestra players leave pit and form the Marching Band as indicated in their parts)

    Stage band parts are also printed in the back of each pit orchestra part.

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm

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