Tony-Winning La Cage Alum Douglas Hodge Eyes Title Role in Barnum Revival

Tony-winning La Cage aux Folles alum Douglas Hodge is in talks to play the title role in a revival of the 1980 musical Barnum, according to an interview with Sirius radio host Seth Rudetsky. Hodge signaled his love for the show by performing Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart’s “Out There” in his recent cabaret act at Café Carlyle in New York.

Barnum enjoyed a two-year run on Broadway led by Jim Dale’s Tony-winning performance as sideshow/circus entrepreneur P.T. Barnum. (A newcomer named Glenn Close played his wife, Chairy.) Michael Crawford won an Olivier Award for the original London production and starred in a film version of the show. Hugh Jackman has been eyeing the juicy role of Barnum in a film that would have no relationship to the stage musical.

No word on timing or venue for Hodge's Barnum revival, although producer Cameron Mackintosh had been rumored to be planning a reboot of the show several years ago.