Barnum the Musical

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 12:33am

I just rented the DVD starring Michael Crawford, and I have to say it was rather enjoyable. Before I watched it, I hadn't even really heard about this musical.

How was this show generally received on Broadway? Was is a hit or a flop?

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 1:18am

The show was a hit in the sense that it made its money back. It ran for about two years on Broadway, winning three Tony Awards for Jim Dale and its sets and costumes.

The show was reviewed semi-positively by the critics. Most of the critics noted that the production was entertaining, and everyone went ga-ga for Dale, but most, if not all, stated that the production was masking very weak material, which is basically right.

The book for Barnum is very very thin, with a charming, if inconsistent, score. I've watched the same DVD you have TheatreFreak, and not only is Michael Crawford incredibly...incredible, but Joe Layton's imagination for the production is simply spectacular. I can only imagine that the tech rehearsals were an extreme pain. With an incredibly creative director and a capable leading actor, Barnum can be a fun two hours. otherwise, it falls completely flat. The reviews were mostly dead-on.

[NuMystic]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 5:02am

Was just discussing Barnum yesterday actually.

It was my very first Broadway show.

Alas, I can't remember a thing about it other than at the age of 10 or 11 I was pretty underwhelmed. :P

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 7:41am

I just watched this last week on Netflix instant viewing. Wickedfan sums it up just about right.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 8:04am

I'm a huge Cy Coleman fan, and I just adore the score to Barnum.

I saw a local production of it though, and all I remember is the tight-rope walking bit at the end of Act I.

So yea, unmemorable in general but a fun score.

[D2]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 8:26am

It's a show with a good score but relies heavily on the star and direction. I saw it twice with Jim Dale and LOVED it. When I saw it a third time with his replacement, not so much. I've never seen the video.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 9:41am

Fond memories of this show. I had seen Jim Dale previously (in THE CARD, a terrific West End musical)and thought he was phenomenal in BARNUM. Also, BARNUM was the first time I was aware of Glenn Close. (Interesting to compare her voice on the Barnum album with her SUNSET BOULEVARD vocals.)

The show was an international hit - in fact, on vinyl I have the original French cast album starring Jean-Luc Moreau.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 10:08am

I saw the original cast several times and I loved the show. Jim Dale was absolutely spectacular - especially compared to the truly grotesque performance that Michael Crawford hams his way through on the video. There is no comparison.

The hidden surprise in the show was an unknown Glen Close, who played Charity Barnum. I remember after one of her songs, I turned to my friend and whispered, "Now that is a major talent". She had a less than showy role and yet when she was onstage you just fell in love with her.

However there are not enough words to say how great Jim Dale was. Bring him back to Broadway! (and keep Micheal Crawford away).
Updated On: 8/13/09 at 10:08 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 10:38am

I fell in love with the score and have only seen the DVD, but I just adore it. The book is a little thin, but the concept and staging were utterly brilliant. The character of P.T. Barnum is a dream role.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 11:13am

I remember being at the stage door for Barnum after a performance and as we were waiting for folks to come out a beat up car pulled up and it was obviously having mechanical problems. Smoke was billowing out from under the hood. The driver got out and opened the hood. More smoke. Just then Glenn Close came out the stage door. She started laughing hysterically and shouted "Len!". The driver of the broken down car was there to pick her up. The Len was none other than Len Cariou. I believe they were dating at the time?

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 11:36am

Yes they were dating. I did an interview with Len Cariou last fall and asked him about the Tony Broadcast gaff. When he went up to get his award for SWEENEY TODD they showed her sitting next to him and flashed the graphic "Mrs. Len Cariou." He said they were living together at the time but were never married. His family in Winnipeg called and asked when he got married.

Back to matters at hand. I saw Barnum near the end of it's run in March 1982. (I arrive in NYC at noon and went right to TKTS to see what I could grab for the Sunday matinee.) I remember enjoying the show but have little memory of anything too specific. The staging of the Museum song and the circus acts all around the theatre during the pre-show.

I do remember in vivid detail the show I saw on Monday night: DREAMGIRLS with the original cast.

Updated On: 8/13/09 at 11:36 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 11:59am

I would like to see Jim Dale as the Chairman in a revival of DROOD.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 1:25am

I'm watching the DVD for the first time in many years. I have to say that I prefer Glenn Close's on the OBCR to Eileen Battye.

Crawford is charming in the role and I'm laughing over the hat trick and the swing during I Like Your style.

[brochatkid]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 7:42am

This was my first Broadway show. There isn't much of a story line, but the themes of the show are poignant, and the music is fantastic. (I grew up singing the songs and playing them on the piano.) Jim Dale and Glenn Close were amazing.

I have a lot of fondness for this show and would love to see a revival.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 9:30am

I saw in when I was still in HS. Tony Orlando was in the role as (with my luck) Jim Dale was on a month's vacation. I remember thinking it was adorable and entertaining. And I'll agree: Glenn Close was a marvel.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 10:38am

There was to have been a musical done by the Baker Street team but it never got off the ground.

I saw this as well & really enjoyed it.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 12:04pm

We need a revival of this starring Billy Crystal yesterday!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 3:37pm

Billy Crystal?????

[54streetDIVA]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 12:51am

this soo needs to come back

[brochatkid]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 7:24am

How about Raul Esparza in the revival?

Love his performance of "There is a Sucker..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-jsqZQ4OOY Updated On: 8/17/09 at 07:24 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/17/09 at 7:57am

Though I'd agree that this show is a good candidate for a revival, that clip did nothing to convince me that Esparza is the right person for the role.

On another thread, perhaps about a proposed Barnum movie with Hugh Jackman, someone suggested Cheno for Jenny Lind. I'd never cast her in a movie, but she'd be great on stage.