Show Synopsis:
Phineas Taylor Barnum dreams of astounding the world with his circus acts. His wife Charity tries to keep him grounded and encourages to get a more sensible job, but Barnum insists on building a museum for his attractions and managing the famous opera singer Jenny Lind. He leaves Charity and follows Jenny on tour, but later regrets his decision, goes into politics, and returns to her. Charity dies suddenly and Barnum meets James Anthony Bailey, who offers to collaborate with him on a circus.
Character:
Phineas Taylor Barnum, a driven young man with a dream of creating a profitable and entertaining circus, no matter the personal cost.
Song Context:
Phineas revels in all the attractions housed in his museum, believing that it is will be the key to his success.
Fun Facts:
1. This musical is based on the real life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, who helped found the world-famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. 2. Jim Dale originated the role of Barnum on Broadway, and it was the first musical he performed in on Broadway. He was also awarded the Tony Award and Drama Desk Awards for his performance.
3. Barnum's American Museum existed from 1841 to 1865 in New York City, and housed multiple fraudulent items that people came from miles around to see.
"Quite a lotta
Roman terra cotta,
Livin' lava from the flanks of Etna
Statuary.
Ride a dromedary,
See the Temple tumble and the Red Sea part.
McNamara's band,
The fattest lady in the land,
A pickled prehistoric hand,
A strand of Pocahontas' hair,
Crow and Sioux
Who're going to
Be showing you
Some rowing through
A model of the rapids on the Delaware,
Armadillas,
Clever caterpillas,
Reproductions of the Cyclops' ret'na,
Crystal blowing,
Automatic sewing,
Venus on a shell and other works of art.
Educated fleas,
A tribe of Aborigines,
Two ladies joined across the knees,
A Mona Lisa made of ice.
Hottentots.
We've gotten in
Forgotten spots.,
A cotton gin,
A night with Lot in Sodom
Better see that twice!
One iguana,
Snakes and other fauna.
Got no bearded lady but we're get'na
When you duck out,
Take another buck out
Run around the block and see a
Run around the block and see a
Run around the block and see a
new show start."