Skip to main content
Barnum logo

Barnum

Musical

Mark Bramble Cy Coleman Michael Stewart

Overview

Synopsis

Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth, the world of Phineas Taylor Barnum, full of spectacle and humbug. Sometimes with her support, and sometimes against her objections, P.T. Barnum works with his wife Chairy to create unbelievable attractions in a variety of ways, from the American Museum in New York City to a national tour featuring Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. Along the way, Barnum meets Joice Heth (the oldest woman alive) and Tom Thumb (the smallest man in the world). He dabbles in politics and begins a lecture tour, culminating in his founding of the Greatest Show on Earth with partner James Bailey. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards (and winning three), Barnum is a joyful ride of humbug and laughter for audiences of all ages.

Show Information

Book
Mark Bramble
Music
Cy Coleman
Lyrics
Michael Stewart
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1980
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
Bridgeport, Connecticut, New York City, United States, 1870s, 1880s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Licensor
Tams Witmark Music Library
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Elderly, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters

Characters

Showing 8 of 17 characters

Phineas Taylor Barnum
Male
Tenor, Baritone
View Breakdown
Joice Heth
Female
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto
View Breakdown
Chairy Barnum
Female
Mezzo-Soprano
View Breakdown
Tom Thumb
Male
Tenor
View Breakdown
Jenny Lind
Female
Soprano
View Breakdown
Blues Singer
Female
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto
View Breakdown
James A. Bailey
Male
Tenor, Baritone
View Breakdown
Ringmaster
Male
Spoken
View Breakdown
View all characters in Barnum

Character Portrayals

See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Barnum.

Want to be featured on this page? Update your credits.

Songs

Act I

  • "Overture Chase"
  • "There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" – Barnum
  • "Humble Beginnings Chase"
  • "Thank God I'm Old" – Joice Heth and Tambourine Players
  • "The Colors of My Life" (Part 1) – Barnum
  • "The Colors of My Life" (Part 2) – Charity
  • "One Brick at a Time" – Charity, Barnum and Bricklayers
  • "Museum Song" – Barnum
  • "Female of the Species Chase"
  • "I Like Your Style" – Barnum and Charity
  • "Bigger Isn't Better" – Tom Thumb
  • "Love Makes Such Fools of Us All" – Jenny Lind
  • "Midway Chase"
  • "Go Out There" – Barnum and Charity

Act II

  • "Come Follow the Band" – Potomac Marching Band and Washingtonians
  • "Black and White" – Charity, Choir, Blues Singer, Barnum and Citizens of Bridgeport
  • "The Colors of My Life" (Reprise) – Barnum and Charity
  • "The Prince of Humbug" – Barnum
  • "Join the Circus" – Bailey, Circus Performers and Barnum
  • "Finale Chase"
  • "The Final Event: There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute" (Reprise)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Videos

Quizzes

Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress