Barnum

A TAMS-WITMARK TITLE

Barnum

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  3w, 2m plus ensemble

Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Michael Stewart
Book by Mark Bramble

Originally Produced on the Broadway Stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfeld in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld

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

Image: 2017 Menier Chocolate Factory Production (Tristram Kenton)

Barnum

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Three 1980 Tony Awards, including Best Actor (Jim Dale)
    Nominee: Ten 1980 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book and Score
    Nominee: Six 1980 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical and Score
    Winner! 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor (Jim Dale)
    Winner! 1980 Theatre World Award
    Nominee: Three 1981 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical
    Winner! 1981 Olivier Award for Best Actor (Michael Crawford)
Barnum

Details

Summary

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 colourful, 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.”

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History

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.

For more information about the historical figures represented in Barnum, check out The Truth Behind... Barnum on Breaking Character.

Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Setting 1835 through 1880. All over America and the major capitals of the world.
  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes, Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“An evening of pure, exhilarating fun!” – Frank Rich, The New York Times

“Glorious… joyous and celebratory… a show that is quirky and funny, graceful and workable all at the same time.” – WhatsOnStage, 2024

“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

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

The Truth Behind... Barnum
20 October 2020

Videos

  • Barnum Promo - Chichester Festival Theatre youtube thumbnail

    Barnum Promo - Chichester Festival Theatre

  • Barnum - Official UK Tour Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Barnum - Official UK Tour Trailer

  • Jim Dale "Come Follow The Band" 1990 youtube thumbnail

    Jim Dale "Come Follow The Band" 1990

  • Barnum - TV Ad 2013 youtube thumbnail

    Barnum - TV Ad 2013

  • Barnum - 1980 Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    Barnum - 1980 Tony Awards

  • Barnum - Simply Theatre 2015 youtube thumbnail

    Barnum - Simply Theatre 2015

Show more +

Photos

  • Barnum

    Image: 2017 Menier Chocolate Factory Production (Tristram Kenton)

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman (1929–2004) was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City to Eastern European Jewish parents, and was raised in the Bronx. A child prodigy, Coleman gave piano recitals at Steinway Hall, Town Hall and Carnegie Hall between the ages of six and nine. His educational backg ...

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Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart (1924-1987) scored on Broadway the first time when he won a Tony Award for his Bye Bye Birdie libretto. He was the librettist for Carnival (Drama Critics Circle Award) and Hello, Dolly!, which earned him both a Tony and Drama Critics prize. Stewart also wrote ...

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Mark Bramble

Mark Bramble

Mark Bramble was nominated for a 2001 Tony Award for his work on 42nd Street. He began his theatrical career working for David Merrick. He directed 42nd Street in London, Tokyo, Sydney and Amsterdam and is the author of Barnum (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Mus ...

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