The Greatest Showman – Stage Play Adaptation
This is a 90-minute one-act stage play adaptation of The Greatest Showman, designed for senior
school students. It includes dialogues, props, lighting, and design suggestions. Songs are marked
as cues for live performance or playback.
Scene 1 – The Dreamer
Lights: Dim wash, soft amber. Projection of stars on backdrop.
Props: Wooden crate (Barnum sits on it), small lantern.
YOUNG BARNUM: One day… this darkness will fade. One day, I’ll create a place where everyone
shines.
CHARITY (child): And I’ll be with you, Phineas. Always.
(Music cue: “A Million Dreams – Young version”)
Scene 2 – Barnum Grows
Transition: Ensemble sweeps across stage carrying cloth banners to signal passage of time.
Props: Suitcase, table with ledger book.
BARNUM (adult): I’ve tried jobs, trades, odd work. But dreams are stubborn things. And mine won’t
let go.
CHARITY: Phineas, dreams don’t feed children. But I’ll stand with you.
Scene 3 – The Circus Idea
Lights: Spotlight on Barnum. Blue wash around.
Props: Posters, “museum” sign, oddities entering one by one.
BARNUM: They called it a museum. Empty glass cases, dusty shells. No one came. So I asked
myself—what if people don’t want facts? What if they want… wonder?
BEARDED LADY: And when they laugh?
BARNUM: Then we’ll give them something unforgettable.
(Music cue: “Come Alive”)
Scene 4 – Success and Criticism
Lights: Split stage – bright on circus, dim on critic.
Props: Newspaper props.
CRITIC: This isn’t art. This is fraud. A parade of freaks.
BARNUM: You call it a parade. I call it… a celebration of humanity.
Scene 5 – Meeting Phillip
Lights: Warm spotlight, tavern table on stage.
Props: Two glasses, small contract paper.
BARNUM: You have the name, the connections. I have the dream. Together, we could change the
rules.
PHILLIP: Or ruin reputations.
BARNUM: Life’s greatest risk is never taking one.
(Music cue: “The Other Side”)
Scene 6 – Jenny Lind’s Arrival
Props: Microphone stand, elegant backdrop curtain.
Lights: Soft white spotlight on Jenny.
BARNUM (announcing): Ladies and gentlemen—the voice of an angel… Miss Jenny Lind!
(Music cue: “Never Enough”)
Note: The remaining scenes follow the same detailed format, covering Anne & Phillip’s story,
Charity’s doubt, the circus fire, Barnum’s downfall, “This Is Me,” his redemption, and the finale with
“The Greatest Show.” Each includes lighting, props, and staging suggestions.
