If ever there were a bigger-than-life American figure whose biography seemed custom-written for the Broadway musical stage, it was the legendary showman Phineas T. Barnum. That 1980 musical arrived during one of the Great White Way's most serious, pre-Webbermania doldrums, but its innovative circus-ring staging and buoyant songs helped point the way to the future, garnering 10 Tony Award nominations, winning star Jim Dale the Best Actor Tony for his riveting, tour-de-force performance in the title role and showcasing co-star Glenn Close on her way to Hollywood stardom.
The show's buoyant songs include romantic drama ("The Colors of My Life," "I Like Your Style"), shameless hucksterism (Dale's verbal gymnastics on "Museum Song," a tune whose brisk syllabic gymnastics one-ups even Gilbert and Sullivan), and infectious crowd-pleasers: "Come Follow the Band" and "Join the Circus." This last pair are also featured in previously unreleased demos by composers Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart. Among the other bonus tracks are Coleman's demos for "At Least I Tried" and "So Little Time," songs that were cut before the show's bow on Broadway. This edition includes new notes by star Jim Dale and reminiscences by Coleman.
1. Overture Chase
2. There Is A Sucker Born Every Minute
3. Humble Beginnings Chase
4. Thank God I'm Old
5. Colors Of My Life, The - (Part I)
6. Colors Of My Life, The - (Part II)
7. One Brick At A Time
8. Museum Song
9. Female Of The Species Chase
10. I Like Your Style
11. Bigger Isn't Better
12. Love Makes Such Fools Of Us All
13. Midway Chase
14. Out There
15. Come Follow The Band
16. Black And White
17. Colors Of My Life, The - (Reprise)
18. Prince Of Humbug
19. Join The Circus
20. Finale Chase
21. The Final Event: There Is A Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute - (Reprise)
22. Come Follow The Band - Cy Coleman/Michael Stewart
23. At Least I Tried - Cy Coleman
24. So Little Time - Cy Coleman
25. Join The Circus - Cy Coleman/Michael Stewart
Barnum
