Barnum 1980

Opened: April 30, 1980
Closing: May 16, 1982

Barnum - 1980 - Broadway History , Info & More

St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages... step right up to The Ritz Theatre for a front row seat and a first rate glance at the jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists and original ring leader of them all... Mr. P.T. Barnum! Written by Mark Bramble, Music by Cy Coleman and Lyrics by Michael Stewart, we're giving a fresh, exciting new look to this classic American Musical. Based on the life of showman P.T. Barnum, this spectacle takes you to a world like you've never seen before! Here lies a rare gem that offers everything from traditional musical theatre to the tantalizing stir of excitement that one can only find waiting underneath the big top!

Get Barnum Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

London Theatre Week - See over 50 Award-Winning Musicals and Plays with Tickets from £15, £25 or £35
by Team BWW - Feb 20, 2024


London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion, giving you the chance to see over 50 amazing award-winning musicals and stunning plays with tickets from £15, £25 or £35

Peter Duncan Joins Pixie Lott and Bonnie Langford in MADE IN DAGENHAM Concert; Full Cast Revealed!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 15, 2024


Full casting has been announced for the 10th Anniversary Concert of MADE IN DAGENHAM at the London Palladium on Saturday 16 March 2024.

How Often Are Broadway Musicals About Real People?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 5, 2023


This time, the reader question was: With Harmony sharing the real story of The Comedian Harmonists, I’m wondering- how often are Broadway musicals about real people who actually existed?

Theatre By The Sea to Host 90th Anniversary BIG BARN BASH
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 13, 2023


In celebration of 90 years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney have announced a Big Barn Bash featuring TBTS alumni, which will take place at the historic barn theatre on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Who Will Win at the 2023 Tony Awards?
by Team BWW - Jun 9, 2023


Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will take home the ultimate prize at the 2023 Tony Awards? We're breaking it down.

Jerry Mitchell Will Receive The 2023 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2023


The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that Jerry Mitchell Will Receive The 2023 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and contributions to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) and for more than three decades of volunteer service through the arts. 

BACK TO THE FUTURE North American Tour to Launch Summer 2024
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2023


The 2022 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical, BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical will launch a North American Tour in the summer of 2024. See tour stops, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Music Theater Works Announces Cast And Creative Team For AVENUE Q
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 2, 2023


Music Theater Works has announced the cast and creative team for the first production in its 43rd season, Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 9 - April 2.

Cast & Creative Team Announced for EVITA at Skylight Music Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 3, 2023


Skylight Music Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for Evita, running February 3-19, 2023 at Skylight’s Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center.

Bryce Pinkham, Lizan Mitchell & More Join Audra McDonald in OHIO STATE MURDERS; Full Cast Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2022


The complete cast for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy is now announced. Joining Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, and Drama Desk nominee Lizan Mitchell.

OHIO STATE MURDERS On Broadway Adds Bryce Pinkham and Lizan Mitchell
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2022


Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham and Lizan Mitchell will join Audra McDonald for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy.

Linedy Genao & Brandon Espinoza to Star in ON YOUR FEET! at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 30, 2022


Paper Mill Playhouse has announced casting for On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan, the first production of Paper Mill’s 2022-2023 season. The production will feature Linedy Genao (On Your Feet! on Broadway) as Gloria, and Brandon Espinoza (Broadway’s SpongeBob SquarePants) as Emilio.

Peter Duncan Will Star in UK Tour of New Ghost Story WHEN DARKNESS FALLS
by Stephi Wild - Jul 15, 2022


Peter Duncan will star as John Blondel and Daniel Rainford as The Speaker in the spine-chilling ghost story, WHEN DARKNESS FALLS.  Following a successful season at Park Theatre in London last summer and a short tour, there will now be a full UK Tour, opening on 15 September at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. 

Who Will Win at the 2022 Tony Awards?
by Team BWW - Jun 11, 2022


Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will win a Tony Award? BroadwayWorld has rounded up the winners of the Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama League Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the last fifty years to compare winners year by year.

Cast and Creative Team Announced For THE KITE RUNNER
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2022


The cast and creative team for the Broadway-bound limited engagement of The Kite Runner at The Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) this summer.

Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Shoshana Bean & More to Take Part in NYTW 2022 Annual Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2022


New York Theatre Workshop announced today performers and presenters for the NYTW 2022 Gala, honoring Artistic Director James C. Nicola, who will depart NYTW after 34 years on June 30, 2022. The Gala will be held on Monday April 11 at 6PM at Capitale (130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013).

New York Theatre Workshop 2022 Gala to Honor Artistic Director James C. Nicola
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2022


New York Theatre Workshop announced today that the NYTW 2022 Gala will honor Artistic Director James C. Nicola, who will depart NYTW after 34 years on June 30, 2022. The Gala will be held on Monday April 11 at 6PM at Capitale (130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013).

BWW Interview: GUSTAVO BARCHILON, BARNUM �" O REI DO SHOW's Director Talks About His Career, Future Projects and How He Revitalized an Almost Forgotten 80's Musical
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 5, 2021


With a sophisticated and amusing production, Barnum has been standing out as the great theatrical success in the city of Sao Paulo, in the post-pandemic. It was between one and another well-attended session that Barchilon kindly granted us this exclusive interview talking about influences, beginning of his career, Barnum and future projects.

BWW Review: Sophisticated and Entertaining, BARNUM �" O REI DO SHOW Opens in Sao Paulo Discussing Inclusion and Feminism With the Circus Universe as a Background
by Claudio Erlichman - Oct 24, 2021


Barnum, finally gets a Brazilian staging. With Portuguese version by Claudio Botelho, direction by Gustavo Barchilon, choreography by Alonso Barros and musical direction by Thiago Gimenes, we have in the cast the talents of Murilo Rosa for the title role and Kiara Sasso playing the powerful Charity. Other highlights are the actresses Giulia Nadruz bringing to life the antagonist Jenny Lind, , Diva Menner in the role of the mythical Joice Heth and actor Matheus Paiva as Tom Thumb.

Student Blog: Broadway Takes Hollywood
by Student Blogger: Anna Demaria - Apr 23, 2021


From the Great White Way to the Silver Screen, these artists have careers that span both the stage and screen. Today we are delving into the Broadway careers of six performers who are nominated for the 2021 Academy Awards.

James C. Nicola to Step Down From Artistic Director Position at New York Theatre Workshop in Summer 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2021


New York Theatre Workshop announced today that Artistic Director James C. Nicola will depart the theater on June 30, 2022. Nicola has been the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Workshop since 1988.

Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021


The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

PIANO BAR LIVE! A NIGHT AT ROSE'S TURN, PART 2 Streams Tonight
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2020


Piano Bar Live! (PBL!) A Night at Rose's Turn, Part 2, streams tonight Tuesday, November at 7:15 pm ET, with hosts Scott Barbarino and Leslie Anderson. PBL! will continue the long-established tradition of the piano bar-that special place where we can gather, entertain, support and create, as we connect with live music.

Theater Stories: The First Rodgers & Hammerstein Collaboration, HELLO, DOLLY! and More About The St. James Theatre!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 12, 2020


Today's Theater Stories features The St. James Theatre! Learn about the first Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration, which Oscar-winning movie was filmed at the theater, the longest-running show to play the St. James and more!

Jim Dale Recalls Highlights of His Illustrative Career September 13
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2020


Celebrated performer Jim Dale will join Joel Aalberts of Santa Fe's beautiful Lensic Performing Arts Center and John Andrews of The Shakespeare Guild for a delightful conversation on Sunday, September 13, at 4:00 PM (EST).

Barnum FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Barnum have there been?
Barnum has had 7 productions including Broadway which opened in 1980, Broadway which opened in 1980, US Tour which opened in 1981, West End which opened in 1981, US Tour which opened in 1981, West End which opened in 1985 and West End which opened in 1992.
What Tony Awards has Barnum been nominated for?
Barnum has been nominated for several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Mark Bramble, Best Choreography for Joe Layton, Best Costume Design for Theoni V. Aldredge, Best Direction of a Musical for Joe Layton, Best Lighting Design for Craig Miller, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Cy Coleman, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Michael Stewart, and Best Scenic Design for David Mitchell.
What Tony Awards has Barnum won?
Barnum has won several Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical for Mark Bramble, Best Choreography for Joe Layton, Best Costume Design for Theoni V. Aldredge, Best Direction of a Musical for Joe Layton, Best Lighting Design for Craig Miller, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Cy Coleman, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Michael Stewart, and Best Scenic Design for David Mitchell.
What awards has Barnum been nominated for?
Barnum has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Layton, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Layton, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Cy Coleman, Outstanding Musical (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for David Mitchell, and Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for David Mitchell.
What awards has Barnum won?
Barnum has won several awards, including the following: - Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Layton - Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Layton - Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Cy Coleman - Outstanding Musical (Drama Desk Awards) - Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for David Mitchell - Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for David Mitchell

Videos