A couple of things: I saw BARNUM in New York with Jim Dale and Glenn Close in 1980 and was knocked out. I thought it was terrific. I don't know how anyone could not find Close enchanting, but to each his own, I guess.
Second, I saw BARNUM in London in 1985 with Crawford and he 'burned' his fingers there too. I asked an usher about it afterward and he told me (with typical British understatement) that the show is performed 'exactly the same way every night, sir'.
I actually thought Crawford was better than Dale and waited at the stage door for his autograph. When I asked him if it was appropriate to tell him that I preferred his performance to Jim Dale's he replied "Oh, yes, it's quite appropriate!" He was most gracious to all of us at the stage door, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Lastly, P.T. Barnum's wife's maiden name was Charity Hallett. One presumes he called her 'Chairy' as a pet name.
'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'