Cameron Mackintosh Still Hoping for Neil Patrick Harris to Play BARNUM!

In a profile for The Boston Globe, mega-producer, theater-owner and all-around theatre impresario Cameron Mackintosh revealed he thinks Neil Patrick Harris would be "perfect" to star in his reworked version of BARNUM, which is set to launch a UK tour this September (starring Brian Conley). That is, if Harris's "schedule ever opens up".

Harris just won a Tony Award for his portrayal of HEDWIG on Broadway and will be leaving the run on August 17, with Andrew Rannells ready for the hot seat on August 20. Commenting on his upcoming departure from the musical, Harris said "I'm ready for a little bit of downtime." But hopefully not too much downtime!

Previous actors mentioned for the revival, which opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2013 starring Christopher Fitzgerald, included Douglas Hodge, John Barrowman and Michael Ball.

The national tour of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of the musical, also starring Linzi Hateley as 'Chairy', will open at Leicester's Curve Theatre on Friday 5 September 2014.

BARNUM has music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble in a revised version by Cameron Mackintosh and Mark Bramble.

BARNUM follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America's Greatest Showman. The story of his life and his marriage to Chairy reveals a couple who looked at the world from opposite sides of the spectrum, and also reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum's dreams come true. The production follows the legendary showman's life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey's Circus - the Greatest Show on Earth. Cy Coleman's score includes the hits Come Follow The Band, The Colours Of My Life and There Is A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute.

BARNUM was a smash-hit when it opened on Broadway in 1980, starring Glenn Close and Jim Dale. It won three Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. When Barnum opened at the London Palladium in 1981, Michael Crawford took the lead, winning an Olivier Award for his performance. Scroll down for a look at him in action!

Photo Credit: Walter McBride