Coach House Players production of ‘Barnum’ opens Friday
The Coach House Players’ production of “Barnum,” which tells the story of master showman P.T. Barnum, opens a six-performance run on Friday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Coach House Players’ theater is located at 12 Augusta St., Kingston.
There’s a sucker born every minute, so sings Phineas Taylor Barnum. “Barnum” covers the period from 1835-1880 in major cities of the United States where Barnum took his performing companies. Taylor, as his wife Charity calls him, considers himself the Prince of Humbug. Over Charity’s objections, Barnum attempts to create a show in which the main attractions are freaks of society. Included in this mix of characters are Jumbo, the world’s largest elephant; the oldest woman alive, Joice Heth; the smallest man in the world, Tom Thumb; and a glamorous Swedish opera singer (the Swedish Nightingale), Jenny Lind.
Of course, there is an abundant array of clowns, jugglers, aerialists and everything colorful. Barnum loves color and sings about it in “The Colors of My Life.” Charity on the other hand, wants him to consider more muted tones and give up the show and start a normal life. It’s a struggle for Barnum, but, eventually to appease, Charity he agrees to do so.
After Charity dies, Barnum is encouraged to return to the circus business and does so in grand fashion by forming a partnership with James A. Bailey. The two men form the Greatest Show on Earth.
Directed by Coach House president Tom Tierney and
assisted by Sue Regan, the cast of “Barnum” features John Thayer as Barnum and Paula Lucas as Charity. Also in the cast are Marge Bennett, Jim Canning, Akasha Davis, Terri Dwyer, Brayden Giannelli, Michael Harelik, Lynnann Madison, Alison McConekey, Tom Muller, Marshall Sheldon, Bob Sills, Maria Smith, Barbara Surowitz and Tom Tierney.
The aerialist is Aubrey Flick, and the jugglers are James Gregerson and Dale Ziegenfelden.
Additional performances opening weekend are Saturday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 8, at 2 p.m. “Barnum” concludes the following weekend, with performances Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 15, at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are $20, $18 for seniors 62 and over and $10 for children 18 and under. Ticket reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (845) 3312476 or online at coachhouseplayers.org.