'Barnum' opens Thursday

El Dorado Musical Theatre is literally bringing the circus to town with their summer musical, "Barnum" opening Thursday and running nightly at 8 p.m. through July 30 in the big top tent set up in El Dorado Hills' Town Center.The show tells the story of P.T. Barnum, America's greatest showman. Fifty of the theater company's most talented teens will perform death-defying stunts in this production. The opening weekend will include a carnival with midway rides and entertainment by the Shriner clowns. On the closing weekend of the production, Bouncetown inflatable play structures will be set up."Barnum" started merely as El Dorado Musical Theater's summer musical and blossomed into a spectacular community event for the area. The show chronicles the career of Barnum (played by Tyler Milliron of Shingle Springs) from the time he acquires his first sideshow act of "The Oldest Woman in the World" (Aly Chavez of El Dorado Hills) to the time he teams up with James Bailey (Nicholas Galloway of Placerville) to create "The Greatest Show on Earth."Along the way, audience members become acquainted with other famous people such as Tom Thumb (Andrew Wilson of Shingle Springs) and The Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind (Heather Clark of El Dorado Hills). Barnum's wife, Charity (Christina Mansour of El Dorado Hills) sticks by him through thick and thin, all the while trying to get him to settle down and run a "respectable" business.The stage, donated and built by Cimorelli Construction, comes alive with a cornucopia of clowns, gymnasts, jugglers, tightrope walkers, and more! The cast has spent the summer learning, not only to dance, sing, and act, but mastering circus skills as well. The theater company has pulled out all the stops and brought in a professional acrobat and circus performer, Cheryl Taylor of Cirque de San Jose to teach circus stunting. "It's amazing what these kids have been willing to learn," said Debbie Wilson Norris, EDMT's choreographer. "They have learned to juggle, spin plates, walk on balls, walk the tightrope, dance on stilts, and even perform on ropes suspended 20 feet in the air! This is the first show we've done where they could actually get hurt if they're not focused." Cast members are also fortunate to work with Barnum's exceptional artistic staff. EDMT is proud to welcome back one of its founders and early directors, John P. Healy, Jr., leader of the award-winning Oak Ridge High School Drama Department and founder of San Jose Children's Musical Theatre. Healy directed the company's first two productions, "The Frog Prince" and "Cavalcade of Broadway" in 2001 and then took a break for health reasons. He and EDMT's Artistic Director, Debbie Wilson Norris, have worked together for more than 20 years in the Bay Area and produced some pretty amazing shows. When Wilson Norris approached him and said, "What would it take to get you back," he replied "Do Barnum, one of my favorite musicals." So that's exactly how Barnum came to fruition.Wilson Norris is the show's choreographer who once again, marvels the audience with her inspired and insightful vision for excellence in stage movement. Vocal direction is provided by Lynne Cimorelli, who will also play piano in the 12-piece orchestra conducted by Rick Wilson, EDMT's multi-talented chairman of the board.Barnum is made possible thanks to the generous support from Town Center by the Mansour Company, The Mechanics Bank, Mercedes-Benz of El Dorado Hills, Cimorelli Construction, Veerkamp General Engineering, All Star Rents, Placer Title, and Long's Drugs. It's really been a team effort to bring this event to the community.Carnival rides planned to surround the tent this weekend include a 60-foot Ferris wheel, Gravitator, Merry-To-Round, Roller Coaster, Fun House, Bumper Cars, Zipper, Super Slide, Scrambler, and Giant Swings. Today is the last day to purchase carnival one-day unlimited ride wristbands for the discounted price of $10. They can be purchased online at www.edmt.info, or at the following locations in El Dorado Hills: Glaser Optical, Mad City Pizza, Mama Ann's Deli & Bakery, Round Table Pizza at both EDH Restaurants, and Togos/Baskin Robbins in El Dorado Hills. In Folsom, go to Beads & Baubles, Creative Classroom, Nicholson Music Company, or Tasty Time at the Prairie City Road locationIn Cameron Park, go to Cameron Park Music Academy or Round Table Pizza at the Coach Lane location.Unlimited ride wristbands will cost $15 at the gate.Tickets for "Barnum" can be purchased online or by calling (916) 941-7464. Ticket prices are $14.50 for adults and $12.50 for children under age 10 and seniors, age 55 and over. The Big Top and other activities are located just off Town Center Boulevard between the lake fountains and Regal Cinemas.