Review: 'Barnum' by Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program

Fairfield, CT - The Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program are presenting the musical BARNUM through July 22 in the Little Theatre second stage. The production opens the 2018 Summer Series on the SHU campus in Fairfield and is presented by Chartwells. The students involved in the production are members of the Sacred Heart Repertory Theatre, a competitive and incentive based program designed for serious and involved theatre students that was founded in 2016. Several of the actors are recent graduates of SHU.

BARNUM Beyond the Show...The Man is a musical with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman. It is based on the life of showman Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810 - 1891), the American visionary entrepreneur and entertainer who once served as the mayor of Bridgeport CT. It covers the period from 1835 through 1880 in America and major cities of the world where Mr. Barnum brought his performing companies.

"There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase closely associated with P. T. Barnum, but there is no evidence that he in fact said it.

The show easily combines elements of traditional musical theater with some elements of the circus that Mr. Barnum eventually joined. The characters include a juggler, a trapeze artist and a clown, as well as some real-life personalities like Jenny Lind and General Tom Thumb. Audience members familiar with the history of Bridgeport will appreciate the local connections. The performance inspired me to research some details about the life of Mr. Barnum when I got home after the sold out opening night performance.

Before the performance, the students celebrated P.T. Barnum's 208th birthday in the SHU Atrium. Elinor Biggs, Barnum’s great great great granddaughter, spoke at the birthday party and sat in front of me to enjoy the opening night performance. It was also nice to see my fellow Connecticut Critics Circle member Bonnie Goldberg in the audience.

The show covers many aspects of the life of this showman so often associated with Bridgeport. Because I grew up participating in many of the events of the annual Barnum Festival and have visited the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, it was fun to see and hear the historical references. The entrance of Jumbo the elephant through the audience was a highlight in this production, as was the staging of "Black and White" in the second act. I discovered in my research that the original early eighties Broadway cast featured Jim Dale in the title role, Glenn Close as Mrs. Barnum and Terrence Mann in supporting roles.

Justin Weigel, a junior at SHU, took on the title role of the larger than life showman. His SHU credits, all of which that I have seen, include NEXT TO NORMAL, AVENUE Q, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, MACBETH, BE MORE CHILL. Mr. Weigel brought Mr. Barnum to life with an easy charm and his wonderful singing voice.

“That's what comes of marrying a schoolteacher, they go right to the books!” - P.T. Barnum in BARNUM

Jordan Norkus (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, MACBETH) was lovely as his plucky wife Charity Barnum who strives to keep him grounded. Ms. Norkus recently earned her BA in Media Arts and Theatre Arts from SHU. It was a treat to see recent SHU graduate Zachary Thompson Lane (IN THE HEIGHTS, AVENUE Q, TICK, TICK...BOOM) in the role of the ringmaster, a role that struck me as an homage to the Leading Player in PIPPIN. Mr. Lane had “magic to do” in this wonderful role and his performance was indeed magical.

The remaining cast members made up the ensemble until they stepped up to play crucial supporting roles. SHU junior Courtney O’Shea (IN THE HEIGHTS, BE MORE CHILL, AVENUE Q) sang the role of diva Jenny Lind, billed as the Swedish nightingale, with a lovely soprano and a good accent. SHU junior Jake Doble (Michael in BE MORE CHILL) played the little person Tom Thumb by only suggesting his true height for a portion of "Bigger Isn't Better." SHU junior Hannah Jones (WORKING) sang well as a sultry blues singer on top of the piano. SHU junior Delaney Lynch played Scutter and SHU graduate Stachakay Silvera did very well as the very, very old Joyce Heath singing "Thank God I'm Old."

Torri Vacca, a junior at SHU, played Mr. Barnum’s secretary Mrs. Stratton. SHU junior Mike Villanueva (Gabe in NEXT TO NORMAL, Usnavi in IN THE HEIGHTS) played Mr. Bailey (of circus fame) and Serginho Valcourt, a senior who appeared in IN THE HEIGHTS, JCS, and MACBETH, took on the roles of Mr. Lyman, Mr. Goldschmidt, and Mr. Morrissey.

Kevin Connors, a recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to CT Professional Theatre, directed the show with professionalism. Music Director Leo Carusone played the piano in his usual corner of the small space and was the only musician. The choreography by Marissa Powers added to the festive tone and the lighting by Kevin McVeigh truly helped to tell the story. The set designed by the members of TAP featured one circus ring and red curtains that were used well. I was impressed by the period costumes designed by Jenna Sheridan, especially the lovely gowns for Mrs. Barnum.

Go see BARNUM July 6-7, 12-14, 19-21 at 8pm and July 8,15, 22 at 3pm. Because of the limited seating in The Little Theatre, tickets may be gone before you know it. Click the link to get your tickets today: http://edgertoncenter.org/buy_tickets.php

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417