John Doyle to Stage 'Barnum' at the Old Globe, Summer '07

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Anne Marie Welsh, Tony Award-winner John Doyle will follow up the Broadway revival of Company with a production of the colorful 1980 musical Barnum.

Barnum was recently added to the 2007 line-up of the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. 

"We have been tracking John Doyle since everybody fell in love with his 'Sweeney Todd.'  We wanted to do a musical revival and this is a show that has not had a major rethinking. It fits John's vision as he'll be imagining it with the actors also playing musical instruments," said Louis Spisto, executive director of the Globe.

Barnum will open on July 12th and run through August 19th. 

The show concerns humbug-loving circus impresario P.T. Barnum's founding and promotion of his famed circus, as well as his stormy-but-loving marriage to wife Chairy.  Barnum opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway in April of 1980 and ran for a little over two years, closing in May of 1982. It won 3 Tony Awards--including one for star Jim Dale--and was nominated for 7 others, including Best Musical.  Originally staged by Joe Layton, the circus musical was also noted for its spectacular production values.

Barnum features music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and book by Mark Bramble.

Doyle is a Tony Award-winner for his minimalist staging of Sweeney Todd, which featured a cast of actors doubling as the orchestra.  The same approach highlights his production of Company, which is currently in previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and will open on November 29th.  The director, whose other credits include Mack and Mabel, also recently staged a new London production of Amadeus.

The Old Globe Theatre has also added John Van Druten's 1950 comedy Bell, Book and Candle to its line-up.

Visit www.theoldglobe.org for more information.