Such a busy day to start my opening Spring Break weekend!
First, I had the trip to Forsyth Park to see green in the rain!
Then, I traveled to midtown for a bit of fantasy!
And, as a grand finale of this first day of break, I've journeyed back in time, to the old days of the circus!
Unlike the one I attended earlier this year, the circus began as a 'freak of the week' event.
Yes, indeed, this woman was the nurse of the great Father of Our Nation!
Joice Heth was there when George Washington chopped down that cherry tree, yes, she was!
Step right up, step right up!"
Knock a century off her age for the truth.
I have for you the smallest man in the world!
Fully grown, but less than three feet tall!
Meet the great man himself,
none other than General Tom Thumb!"
General of what army?
The one in the land of Oz, perhaps?
Phineas Taylor Barnum knew better than anyone that there was a sucker born every minute. Someone willing to step up and hand over their money for the sake of seeing an oddity of nature, especially one that made their own life seem a little easier to bear. The selling of views of such oddities added color to his own life, as well as money in his pocket.
But "Barnum", the musical bearing his name, isn't just about him. It also sheds light on the two women of his life and his relationship with them. Most of the play concerns the "marital humbug" he dishes upon his beloved wife, Charity, who he affectionately calls "Chairy" or "Chairy Bottom".
She is his opposite in many ways, the calm to his storm, the voice of reason to his barkery. She would be content with the mellow tones of the world - but she loves him and supports him as he chases his dream. She even tries to add some respectability and truth to his show, encouraging him to lure a songstress across the ocean to our shores.
"Step right up, my lovely people!
Direct from Europe,
none other than Jenny Lind,
the Swedish Nightingale!
Her voice is clear as a bell,
sweeter than any bird's trill!
She will lure your heart
with her song
as she lures your gaze
with her beauty!"
This time, he was absolutely correct.
With her fancy voice and demeanor, Jenny lured him away from his dear wife. Oh, such bright colors! Oh, such gay receptions! Oh, the popular people! Barnum and Jenny toured the country with her concerts for nearly a year. By that time, he had finally tired of the fancy parties and of having a songbird on his arm. Moreover, she was ready to fly away on her own. Both had profited greatly by their association... but what of his marriage?
Charity welcomed him back to their home in Fairfield, CT. She encouraged him to go into politics, fighting for the equal rights for blacks and whites. He served as Mayor of Bridgeport, as well as four terms as Senator. Then Chairy died and life lost its color again.
Ten years later, Barnum and James Anthony Bailey joined their creative talents, creating the "Barnum & Bailey Circus". Why? For the sake of a baby elephant.
And the rest followed suit, leading to the circus as I saw it in January.
The Asbury Theatre Company did a fabulous job of presenting this story! There were acrobats! There were ribbon dancers! There were clowns! There was an aerialist high above the stage!
And, yes, Miss Virginia, there was even an elephant!
As I had entered the church to buy a ticket on this opening night, the clown had asked if I would like a balloon.
"Would I!" I had responded enthusiastically!
So, he pulled out the red one from his bunch and gave it to me.
When I asked him, later at the reception, why he had done so, he replied, "You looked like you needed a balloon."
No judgement, just matter of fact.
And you know what?
He was absolutely correct!
Nice touch for the end of a nice evening and a nice day!
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