BARNUM Brings Big Top to Lake Worth Playhouse, Now thru 4/28

Want to run away and join the circus? Now is your chance! Barnum arrives at the Lake Worth Playhouse tonight, April 11th - 28th. Directed by actor and former drama teacher Hal Johnstone, Barnum is a musical based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum, the Prince of Humbug! The production combines elements of musical theater with the spectacle of a circus.

From the director, Hal Johnstone: "Working on this production of BARNUM, that celebrates not only the birthday of the City of Lake Worth but also the 60th anniversary of the theatre, has been a wonderful and uplifting experience for this director. The cast is upbeat, energetic and willing to venture in new directions, not only in acting, but in performing the difficult maneuvers of a circus performer. We have formed a theatre family, and enjoy our real life families on stage: Mrs. Barnum (in real life) is married to the Ring Master and Tom Thumb's mother is portrayed by his real mom. And the dancing! Ricky Nahas, the choreographer (Annie, Chicago, Music Man), has honed his dancers, providing the high quality, show stopping numbers audiences have come to expect! What a delight it is and continues to be! My advice: don't miss it."

Phineas Taylor Barnum engages and captivates audiences from the very start of this high energy adventure. The show spans four decades as Barnum continuously refines his art of "Humbug", entertaining the masses and looking for his next great accomplishment. Charity, his wife is unwavering in her love and dedication to her husband, even though she disagrees with the lengths to which her husband will go to achieve greatness. Throughout the production, we meet engaging characters such as Joice Heth, the Oldest Women in the World; General Tom Thumb; 25 inches from head to toe; Jenny Lind, The Swedish Nightingale; and Bailey who would go on with Barnum to form the now infamous Barnum and Bailey Three-Ring Circus.

Taking place from the mid 1830's to the early 1880's the show provides a snapshot into the entertainment world of the 19th century and the start of the American Circus. With large scale production numbers, inclusive of stilt walkers, acrobats, contortionists, clowns, and tightrope walking, this truly is a show for all ages.

With book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman, the original production opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway, on April 30, 1980 and closed on May 16, 1982 after 854 performances and 26 previews. It was directed and choreographed by Joe Layton. The musical starred Jim Dale as P.T. Barnum, Glenn Close as Charity Barnum, Marianne Tatum as Jenny Lind, and Terri White as Joice Heth.

The show made its West End debut on June 11, 1981 at the London Palladium, where it ran for 655 performances. The London cast included Michael Crawford as P.T. Barnum, Deborah Grant as Charity Barnum and Sarah Payne as Jenny Lind. Crawford reprised his role opposite Eileen Battye in a UK Tour of the show which ran between 1984 and 1986, stopping off at various venues including the Manchester Opera House and Victoria Palace Theatre. The tour was recorded for television and broadcast by the BBC in 1986. It was later released on VHS and DVD.

The original production of Barnum was nominated for 10 Tony awards, winning 3, including Best Actor in a Musical (Jim Dale). It was also nominated for 6 Drama Desk Awards, winning 1 for Best Actor in a Musical (Jim Dale). The West-End Production was nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning 1 for Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford).

A revival of Barnum is planned for later this year in England. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Christopher Fitzgerald will star in Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the show opening at the Chichester Festival Theatre from the 15th July - 31st August 2013. The show will be performed in the Theatre in the Park, near the Festival Theatre.

Preview Night is tonight, April 11th at 8:00 p.m. ($23 & $27). Opening Night is Friday, April 12th at 8:00 p.m. ($28 & $32 - includes Opening Night Elegance). Evening and Matinee Performances will run April 13th - 28th - at 8pm and 2pm. ($26 & $30). Dinner & Show Night is April 11th and includes a 6:00 p.m. pre-show dinner at Paradiso, an upscale Italian restaurant in downtown Lake Worth, prior to the 8:00 p.m. performance. The all-inclusive dinner/show package price is $55 and includes a three-course meal and premium seats for the preview performance.

Tickets can be purchased through the Lake Worth Playhouse Box Office at 561-586-6410 or online at lakeworthplayhouse.org. Lake Worth Playhouse is located at 713 Lake Ave in Downtown Lake Worth. Valet Parking is available for $5. Street and lot parking is also available.

Lake Worth Playhouse is a non-profit community theatre with a diverse array of offerings, including award-winning dramas, comedies, musicals, area premieres, Broadway favorites, children's shows, ballets and operas on film, live concerts, improv comedy and alternative programming. In addition to its main stage theatrical fare, The Playhouse presents year-round independent and foreign films in the Stonzek Theatre, an intimate black-box style theatre equipped with a large viewing screen and high-definition projection. The Playhouse is proud to offer a variety of educational programs for adults and children, as well as community outreach initiatives that bring cultural programs into the neighborhoods of underserved youth and also make theatre available free of charge for disadvantaged citizens in the community.

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