Asolo Repertory Theatre and Maltz Jupiter Theatre have partnered to present Barnum, the multiple Tony Award winning musical that ran for two years and 854 performances on Broadway. Barnum opens on January 9, 2009, at The Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida.
The co-production between the two theatres represents sharing on many levels, from concepts to expenses, and from artistic decisions to sets, costumes and props. It also means that the production will move from one theatre to the other, taking with it all the shared elements, including the actors and creative team.
“We are thrilled to be co-producing Barnum with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. This musical is a vibrant, dynamic show that deserves to have the highest quality of production. When the opportunity arose to partner with Andrew Kato and the brilliant team at Maltz Jupiter, I knew it was too good to pass up. We have every expectation of creating a production that will have a memorable life on both of Florida’s coasts.” – Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director, Michael Donald Edwards.
In the case of large scale musicals, such as Barnum, a co-production provides regional theatres an opportunity to take on larger and more complex projects than they might normally undertake. The sharing of resources and expertise will enable a more robust production.
“Co-producing Barnum with Asolo Repertory Theatre will allow the Maltz Jupiter Theatre to present an ambitious season that is both artistically excellent and financially viable. The details of mounting a production on this scale requires a partnership with a theatre that has years of experience behind them. We are lucky to have this with Asolo Rep.” – Maltz Jupiter Theatre Artistic Director, Andrew Kato.
In addition to the co-production with Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Asolo Rep is collaborating with other organizations in the Sarasota community with strong ties to circus history. Pedro Reis of Circus Sarasota is on board as the circus consultant for Barnum. The cast is in ‘circus skills’ training with Reis, and with coaches Susan Loeffler and Anna Bello at the Pal Sailor Circus facilities in Sarasota. Additional circus and P.T. Barnum expertise and resources are being provided by The Ringling Museum of Art and by Feld Entertainment, Inc.
worlds of musical theatre and circus fuse into a vibrant and entertaining musical celebrating the colorful, creative and driven life of the World’s Greatest Showman, Phineas ‘P.T.’ Barnum. Come Follow the Band and meet the extraordinary acts that led Barnum from humble beginnings to ‘The Greatest Show on Earth.’
Originally produced on the Broadway Stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfeld in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld. -- www.asolo.org
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