With red and gold predominating and circus paraphenalia on stage and side stages, The Players of Sarasota might be performing under the Big Top. Problem: guests from Sailor Circus don't appear until the rousing "Follow the Band," so the antics are indeed mild for a town noted for circus. This does not apply to Steve Dawson as the dauntless Barnum, who leaps onto the central platform to "defend the noble art of humbug." He takes our vote, and eyes, whether he's performing magic tricks, bouncing on a trampoline or skimming along a high wire. He persuades us a kid (slick Geoffrey Hefflefinger) is General Tom Thumb and hefty but bluesy-voiced Margaret Boyle is the oldest woman alive. Mostly, despite an interlude with sweet soprano Stacie Elizabeth Bono's Jenny Lind, Dawson/Barnum convinces of his deep love for wife Chairy, though they disagree on matters of humbug and women's lib causes of their time. Whether or not the "Colors of My Life" are sung in different styles and of different viewpoints by the couple, they're wonderfully in tune, as they repeat most melodically in "I Like Your Style."
As Chairy, Susan Cole has presence and sure voice. Todd J. Kelly is glib as Ringmaster. Stiltwalkers and Jumbo's moving feet make fun backgrounds for songs. Scene changes are punctuated by clownish antics and extras or Barnum performing little tricks, but there's just as little sense of circus excitement or advancing. That's odd, considering the director is best known as a choreographer. Costumes and lighting are much more lavish than movement or music, but the leads enhance everything.
