MovieChat Forums > The Greatest Showman (2017) Discussion > Barnum musical

Barnum musical

posted 10 years ago by anastasiakil
7 replies | jump to latest

So why are they writing a new musical biopic about P.T. Barnum when there is already a perfectly good one already writte

[–] search_for_truth 10 years ago

Maybe this one will be about a different part of his life.

[–] baj-1 10 years ago

Or a biopic that is more cinematic in theme and treatment.

The original Barnum was composed for the stage.

[–] baj2 9 years ago

As I have posted on a separate thread here, one of the songs to be featured in the forthcoming film version was introduced by Hugh in his current concert tour in Australia.

https://katch.me/fawnfatinky/v/9cb54c02-8cbe-3390-85e4-74a0edd095d2

I like the more contemporary sound!

[–] RiverSongsDiary 10 years ago

How many musicals are there based of Cinderella, Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan?

Answer more than one. Just because one version is good or first doesn't mean it can be the only one. Heck there are two versions of Phantom of the Opera.

I'm River Song Check your records again

[–] desikitteh 9 years ago

re: phantom, if you're referring to love never dies, it's not "another version" it's a sequel. if not, more information, please?

[–] baj2 9 years ago

I also actually saw the "other version" which was written by Maury Yeston ( if I remember correctly) when it was staged where I live ( outside the USA). The story is of course very similar since it was also based on the Gaston Leroux novel but staged not as lavishly as the Lloyd-Webber version ( which I saw on Broadway and London).

Also, some notes from Wikipedia on this version --

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_(musical)

[–] baj2 9 years ago

I recently saw an uploaded version of BARNUM ( THE MUSICAL), with Michael Crawford as Barnum on YouTube.

It was quite entertaining ( with impressive choreography as befitting a stage musical) but there is little drama and conflict. The character seemed very bland to me, almost boring ( To each his own taste  ), and would not be very interesting as a cinematic figure.

I have also started to read Barnum's autobiography and the preface was very revealing. I did not realize that Barnum was a controversial public figure and many questioned the integrity of his motives and actuations on his many efforts to produce public entertainment. Now, that element would make his biography very interesting, if translated to the screen. I am not saying that this is how the oft-revised screenplay will finally settle down, but it does sound very challenging cinematic material.

I have an open mind as to how this biopic is going to shape up. And given a movie musical cloak to tell the story, that would make it very interesting storytelling of a public figure!