What will GREATEST SHOWMAN be all about?
We know it is a musical biopic, with the final version of the screenplay written by Oscar winner Michael Arndt and a musical score by contemporary musical theatre hitmakers Pasek and Paul ( LaLaLand, Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, and Greatest Showman on Earth) but we do not really know much about the storyline and the characterizations.
One interesting photograph was featured in a recent Jackman twitter message, complete with the photo from the past.
Hugh Jackman @RealHughJackman · 1h1 hour ago
Day #1. THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Amazing to be working with this cast and crew. Cheers to you - Michael Gracey!!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CsvttjuWYAAfJp_.jpg
A number of people thought that Hugh was being literal when he said he looked forward to working with "this cast" and crew while pointing to an obviously old photograph in sepia tones of people who worked with RINGLING BROTHERS and BARNUM & BAILEY, as stamped on the image.
Interesting how many clowns ( practically the front row) are featured on this photograph -- was the circus really a main attraction for families, especially with the kids, then? Will the movie hold the same sway with current very young demos ( assuming the rating is a family-friendly GP or, at the maximum, a PG)? Will Hugh and company feature a musical number that appeals to the young ones
But trying to squint at the images of the supposed " circus freaks" makes me view THIS IS ME as probably a bittersweet number for these people. There is lament on how others see them, but there is also pride in being different. That must have been very true in those times ( Barnum lived in the 19th century) but I wonder how people in current times with a different sense of sensibilities will view them in the movie. THIS IS ME could be a triumphant musical number...even Hugh was very touched by it (that he debuted it in his Broadway to Oz), even if it was not meant for Barnum to sing!
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