Date: Fri 03-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Barnum-Bridges-A&E

Full Text:

A&E'S "Barnum" To Preview In Bridgeport

(with cut)

BRIDGEPORT -- Three-time Emmy Award winner Beau Bridges and top production

officials of the A&E Television Network will be in Bridgeport on Tuesday,

September 7, to air a sneak preview of their upcoming made-for-television

movie, P.T. Barnum , and to raise money for The Barnum Museum.

The four-hour film on the life of the circus showman and one-time Bridgeport

mayor will then air nationwide on A&E Sunday and Monday evenings, September 12

and 13.

Mr Bridges, who has the title role in the production, will be the honorary

chairman of the Hollywood-style, invitation-only event, which will serve as

the museum's 11th annual fundraising gala. The preview will take place in the

new Polka Dot Playhouse on State Street, and will climax the theater's grand

opening.

Mr Bridges and A&E representatives will greet guests at the black-tie gala,

which will include a cocktail buffet reception under a canopied tent on McLevy

Green opposite the Playhouse, a showing of the film's opening 90 minutes in

the theater, and a post-preview dessert hour.

Prior to the reception, the son of the late film star Lloyd Bridges and

brother of actor Jeff Bridges will discuss his role as Barnum in the A&E

venture.

P.T. Barnum co-stars include Mr Bridges' son, Jordan Bridges (who appeared in

Defenders: Taking the First and Next to You ) as the young P.T. Barnum, and

veteran actor George Hamilton of "The George and Alana Show" and Godfather III

as the financier Francis Olmsted.

Also featured are Henry Czerny ( The Ice Storm and Mission: Impossible ) as

Barnum's partner, John Greenwood Jr; Cynthia Dale ( Street Legal and Thanks of

A Grateful Nation ) as Barnum's first wife, Charity Hallett Barnum; Charles

Martin Smith ( Streets of Laredo ) as Moses Beach; and Josh Evans of Ally

McBeal as General Tom Thumb.

Last fall Mr Bridges was in Bridgeport to do extensive research for the A&E

movie. Over two days, he consulted with museum executive director Barbara Kram

and retired curator Robert S. Pelton. He also spoke with Mary Witkowski, head

of the historical collections department at Bridgeport Public Library.

During the last several months, museum staff provided research and resource

materials to A&E production crews as they filmed the Barnum story in Montreal,

Quebec and Vancouver, B.C. The locations were selected for their 19th Century

architectural structures and diverse weather conditions.

P.T. Barnum was directed by Emmy Award winner Simon Wincer, who also directed

Lonesome Dove and Free Willy . The film was written by Oscar nominee Lionel

Chetwynd, whose works include The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz , Moses and

The Man Who Captured Eichmann .