Barnum

Rating:
Summary: Great Musical , Cheap DVD Distributor
Review: I have loved Barnum ever since I saw this production on PBS. The DVD is great but there is absolutely NO information about the production! No brochure, no program notes, no cast list, no printed song list, nothing; only a song list accessible using the menu button on the DVD remote. Shame on Waterbearer Films for having so little regard for its customers. There is some video noise on the DVD probably from the transfer from UK to North American video standards but it's still worth buying for the fabulous production of Cy Coleman's glorious musical.

Rating:
Summary: Barnum
Review: I loved the musical Barnum. I have children and it was a production that appealed to all members of my family. Michael Crawford is a wonderful performer and he is supported by a strong cast. Well done!

Rating:
Summary: Michael Crawford IS the Greatest Showman on Earth!
Review: I saw first Barnum on TV at the age of five on Christmas Day, 1990: now, 13 years later, it is still my favourite escapist retreat. Michael Crawford- whether walking the tightrope, sliding down a 60 foot drop, setting fire to himself, or waltzing on stilts- proves once again his immense ability to excel in the most physically demanding roles. He is a fine actor (real tears pour down his face when his beloved, patient Chairy dies) and a tremendous amount of fun! His vocal ability (which surfaces especially on numbers like 'The Prince of Humbug') is undoubted. He makes this show.

Well... him and a terrific, talented cast of singers, dancers and acrobats all rolled into one, and marvellous co-stars: of especial note are Eileen Battye as Chairy and the wonderful Ringmaster. The dialogue is often very funny and sometimes extremely moving, the songs unforgettable, and the colours-- beyond description. This is the story of a wonderful American entertainer; let him live again on your TV screens through Michael Crawford.

Five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I was first introduced to this production in a theatre class, and ever since I have been trying to get a copy of it for myself, I absolutely love it! Michael Crawford is awesome in this production, the life and spirit he brings to the performance is incredible! A must see!

Rating:
Summary: Still my favorite musical
Review: I was fortunate enough to see Michael Crawford in "Barnum" in 1982 in London, where I was spending my honeymoon. My cousin lived there and loved the play (seeing it three times in total) and asked us to go. We absolutely loved it. At the time we bought a cassette of the music and brought it home.

I never imagined I'd see it again, so imagine my surprise when I saw the DVD for sale! I bought it and have replayed it many times because of the great music and sets. The cast was slightly different from the time I saw it, but are uniformly excellent. I have seen many plays, including "Phantom of the Opera", (without Michael Crawford), "Les Miserable", etc and "Barnum" is still my favorite musical. Get this one and share it. My favorite number, "I Like Your Style", delightfully describes a lot of relationships. Almost everything is upbeat in this play, "Thank God I'm Old", for instance. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Still my favorite musical
Review: I was fortunate enough to see Michael Crawford in "Barnum" in 1982 in London, where I was spending my honeymoon. My cousin lived there and loved the play (seeing it three times in total) and asked us to go. We absolutely loved it. At the time we bought a cassette of the music and brought it home.

I never imagined I'd see it again, so imagine my surprise when I saw the DVD for sale! I bought it and have replayed it many times because of the great music and sets. The cast was slightly different from the time I saw it, but are uniformly excellent. I have seen many plays, including "Phantom of the Opera", (without Michael Crawford), "Les Miserable", etc and "Barnum" is still my favorite musical. Get this one and share it. My favorite number, "I Like Your Style", delightfully describes a lot of relationships. Almost everything is upbeat in this play, "Thank God I'm Old", for instance. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: a delightful experience
Review: I've loved Michael Crawford as phantom, and as a singer of Andrew Lloyd Weber songs in general. Here he takes off...and soars...in an entirely different direction! Crawford stars as P.T. Barnum (AKA Barnum & Bailey circus). A small stage, a small cast, but by no means a small show. I was entertained enough I immediatley hit play again after the credits rolled.

Rating:
Summary: Barnum (the musical) review
Review: If you want to see what the musical of Barnum is like this is the video to get. It tells about the life of Barnum. Chairy, his wife, General Tom Thumb, Bailey, and Jenny Lind are singing and dancing in it as well. I particulary liked how they depicted Tom Thumb, very creative.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Show On Earth
Review: In the summer of 2001 I played a clown in a theatrical production of Barnum. Barnum is a fun filled musical that kids will enjoy along with adults. The music, dance, and the production itself was increaduble. Michael puts on a great show for viewers of all ages, and I enjoy watching him all the time.

Rating:
Summary: Great entertainment for anyone!
Review: It's really a shame that more productions like this aren't available. Back in 50's musicals like "Of Thee I Sing" and "Once Upon a Mattress" aired on CBS with stars like Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor in major roles. With so much wonderful entertainment virtually lost to new generations, BARNUM was a real treat to behold. Michael Crawford shines as circus flim-flam man P.T. Barnum and proves that he's more than just a great singer, he's a true crowd pleaser. The rest of the cast does a fine job in keeping up with the whole circus atmosphere. It would be nice if they would put the original cast with Jim Dale and Glenn Close (before she was the star she is now) on video so we can see an American production as well. Some of the script changes due to locale tend to water the text down a bit, but not enough to dampen the fun. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves theatre, the circus, Michael Crawford, or to anyone who just wants to watch something "a little different".