WPCNR STAGE DOOR.  From Allan Gruet, Westchester Broadway Theatre. April 18, 2006: In the words of Phineas Taylor Barnum…. “Barnum’s the name. P.T. Barnum. And I want to tell you that tonight you are going to see – bar none - every sight, wonder, and miracle that name stands for!” P. T. Barnum was known as America’s Prince of Humbug. He had a gift for creating illusions and dazzling the multitudes into seeing wonders, while less credulous onlookers remained skeptical about what they were seeing.  Barnum, the 1982 musical hit nominated for 10 Tony Awards begins its run at the Westchester Broadway Theatre May 4. TICKETS & INFORMATION BOX OFF. RESERVATIONS .Call (914)-592-2222. Open every day at 10am.                   

Right from the opening, we hear Barnum tell us he is here to defend the “noble art of humbug.” He defines it as “the puffing up the truth with a shiny coat of varnish,”…which is what he does with the cold hard facts of life. Whether we agree with him or not, P. T. is sure he will be able to sell us a bill of goods. Why?....because, as he sings in the opening song: “There is a Sucker Born Every Minute.”  

 BARNUM is one of those Broadway musical miracles that great showmen love. It takes what seems to be a modest production and turns it into a musical three-ring circus. The production juggles all the elements adroitly, making the show a triumph of stagecraft, as it blends circus arts with Broadway skill.

The result is a totally captivating evening of entertainment. A lot of the credit goes to director/choreography Joe Layton for his imaginative staging of the original Broadway production. His choreography fills the stage with color-- every where you look there are clowns, jugglers, acrobats, tumblers, baton twirlers, tightrope walkers, and trapeze artists.

Cy Coleman’s music & Michael Stewart’s lyrics are the right fit for P. T. Barnum, this larger-than-life impresario, and a perfect mix for the show’s playfulness and charm. Cy has written some toe-tapping tunes that would sound just right under any big tent; band-rousers which could send a marching band up and down the aisles, and a beautiful ballad, “The Colors Of My Life.”  

This last illuminates the show’s conflict: Barnum’s flamboyance and love of humbug vs. his wife’s respectability and her liking for simple truth. Some of the memorable songs from the show include “One Brick at a Time,” “Bigger Isn’t Better,” “Love Makes Such Fools of Us All,”  “Come Follow The Band,”  and “Join the Circus”.

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.   Nominated for 10 Tony awards, the story and music will keep adults riveted, and the circus action keeps the kids enthralled. BARNUM is a show for the entire family, and an excellent way to introduce live theatre to children of all ages. 

The Westchester Broadway Theatre production will star Tony Lawson as P.T. Barnum (Mr.Lawson is a resident of Mahopac NY.)  -  Ann Van Cleave as Chairy Barnum - Alison  Spratt as Jenny Lind -Terri White as Joyce Heth (Terri was in the Broadway production) & Courter Simmons as Tom Thumb.The production is Choreographed and directed by Ray Roderick, with Musical Direction by Ken Lundie, Costume design by Angela Wendt (Costume Designer of Broadway production of “Rent”), Set design is by George Puello, Hair/Wig Design Gerard Kelly, Lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, and sound design by Jon Hatton.