Today in Theatre History: Barnum Opens on Broadway, April 30, 1980

Today in theatre history: Before there was The Greatest Showman, there was another P.T. Barnum. The Cy Coleman-Michael Stewart-Mark Bramble musical Barnum, about the legendary circus showman, officially opened April 30, 1980, following previews that began April 5 at the St. James Theatre.

The show followed how the 19th-century visionary built famous, populist museums, imported Swedish nightingale Jenny Lind to the U.S., promoted General Tom Thumb, and eventually partnered in a circus venture that bears his name.

Barnum features music by Coleman, lyrics by Stewart, and a book by Bramble. The score includes such titles as "The Colors of My Life," "There's a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute," "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All," "Join the Circus," "Come Follow the Band," and more.

Jim Dale starred in the title role of the man credited with the phrase, "There is a sucker born every minute." Barnum was also dubbed "the Prince of Humbug." Glenn Close played his long-suffering wife, Charity Barnum.

The original company also featured Terrence Mann (then billed as Terrence V. Mann) in his Broadway debut as Chester Lyman/Humbert Morrissey, Catherine Carr as Lady Plate Balancer, Leonard John Crofoot as Tom Thumb, Karen Gustafson as Pianist, Steven Michael Harris as One Man Band, Edward T. Jacobs as Chief Bricklayer, Dirk Lumbard as Sherwood Stratton, Robbi Morgan as Lady Aerialist, Barbara Nadel as Lady Juggler, Peter Phillips as Pianist, Bruce Robertson as Wilton, Sophie Schwab as Mrs. Sherwood Stratton, Bradley Steven-Fields as Pre-Show Entertainer, Marianne Tatum as Jenny Lind, Andy Teirstein as White-Faced Clown, Karen Trott as Susan B. Anthony, Kelly Walters as Amos Scudder/Edgar Templeton, Terri White as Joice Heth, and William C. Witter as Ringmaster/Julius Goldschmidt/James A. Bailey.

Joe Layton directed and provided musical staging with scenic design by David Mitchell, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge, lighting design by Craig Miller, sound design by Otts Munderloh, and hair design by Ted Azar.

Jim Dale and company of *Barnum* Martha Swope / NYPL Digital Collections

In his review for The New York Times, Frank Rich lavished praise on star Dale, writing, "This man can create magic鈥攖he magic of infectious charm鈥攅ven on those rare occasions when he's standing still." Rich also said the musical "simply bursts with melodies鈥攂allads, marches, ragtime strut numbers, burlesque turns鈥攁nd they have been orchestrated to raise the rafters by the incomparable Hershy Kay." Rich concluded, "But if it is not the greatest show on earth鈥攐r even the greatest musical on 44th Street鈥�Barnum and its crack ringleader nonetheless deliver an evening of pure, exhilarating fun."

The production was subsequently nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1980, including Best Musical (it lost the Best Musical prize to Evita). Dale, however, won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony for his charismatic performance in the title role; the production also picked up Tonys for Best Scenic Design (Mitchell) and Best Costume Design (Aldredge).

Tony Orlando and Mike Burstyn also starred in the title role during the original Broadway run. Michael Crawford would lead the London production, which was filmed for broadcast.

Barnum ended its Broadway run May 16, 1982, following 26 previews and 854 regular performances. An original cast album was released on Columbia Records.

Real-world circus impresario P.T. Barnum was also the subject of the 2017 film The Greatest Showman, with the plot following Barnum's journey creating the iconic and long-running circus show with a group of unlikely performers. Hugh Jackman starred in the film; a stage version is currently in the works.

Learn what other theatre milestones happened on April 30 by visiting the 半岛体育 Vault.

Look back at the original Broadway production of Barnum in the gallery below.