Barstow, Richard 1907-1981

Richard Barstow (1908-1981) was a director and choreographer, known for his work for the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, for industrial shows, and for stage and television productions.

Richard Barstow was born the youngest of seven children in Ashtabula, Ohio, on April 1, 1908; his family relocated to Seattle shortly after his birth. He travelled as part of a dance act with his sister Edith (1908-1960), then, upon her marriage, settled in Chicago where he found work at the Palmer House with Eddie Duchin's revue, learning choreography and directing. After Army service during World War II, Richard Barstow, who had never seen a circus, was offered a job by Ringling Brothers, for whom he worked as choreographer for many years. He served as choreographer for Cecil B. DeMille's 1952 film THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Richard Barstow died on May 2, 1981.

Richard Barstow (1908-1981) and Edith Barstow (died 1960) were directors and choreographers, known for their work with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, for industrial shows, and for stage, film, and television productions.

Both began their show business careers as part of a vaudeville act with their other siblings, known as "The Five Barstows." The two continued on together as a dance team for several years and would later work, both together, and independently, staging and directing musical numbers in a variety of settings. Richard Barstow enjoyed an especially wide-ranging career. In addition to a long affiliation with the circus, (involving directing, choreographing, and composing), Barstow had numerous other stage credits, including Broadway, summer theater. He was based for a time in Chicago, working chiefly on nightclub productions, most notably at the Palmer House. His extensive work for industrial shows included productions staged for the General Motors Corporation during the 1950s. He is also well known for his work with Judy Garland on several projects, most notably, choreographing and staging the numbers for the film, A Star is Born (1954). Edith Barstow assisted her brother as a choreographer, director, and producer until the time of her death.

Choreographer, director, dancer, and composer Richard Barstow (1908-1981), began his varied show business career as a dancer, but went on to direct and choreograph for the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, industrial shows, as well as for stage, film, and television productions.

By the time Barstow was seven, he was appearing in a vaudeville dance act, "The Five Barstows" with his sisters. The group played the Pantages vaudeville circuit on the west coast. After several years, only Richard and his sister Edith remained in the act. The two would continue to work together on numerous projects throughout their careers, including the circus and industrial shows. Barstow eventually settled in Chicago where he choreographed, directed, and created material for nightclub revues.

Richard Barstow (1908-1981) was a choreographer, director, dancer and composer.

He began his varied show business career as a dancer, but went on to direct and choreograph for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, industrial shows, as well as for stage, film and television productions. By the time Barstow was seven, he was appearing in a vaudeville dance act, "The Five Barstows", with his sisters. After several years, only Richard and his sister Edith remained in the act. The two would continue to work together on numerous projects throughout their careers. Barstow eventually settled in Chicago where he directed, choreographed and created material fo nightclub revues. Barstow's career took a turn in 1949, when he was hired by John Ringling North of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, to direct and choreograph. He continued in this capacity for twenty-nine years and even wrote a number of songs for the circus. In addition to his work for the circus, Barstow had numerous stage credits as a choreographer and director, including several Broadway, summer theater, and nightclub productions. His extensive work for industrial shows included production staged for the General Motors Corporation during the 1950s.