Side Show opened on Broadway on October 16, 1997 after 31 preview performances and closed on January 3, 1998 after 91 regular performances. Side Show opened at the Avo in Vista on October 11, 2006 for a run of only five performances. Avo holds just 382 people. That means fewer than 2,000 people on the west coast had a chance to see this brilliant production. What a shame!
Bill Russell's book and lyrics are haunting. Henry Krieger's music is complex. Premiere Productions' current offering is directed by Randall S. Hickman with Michael Grant Hall as musical director and Shirley Johnson responsible for the choreography. This has proved to be an excellent team to put on this compelling show.
It's now 2009. This year's production is directed by Shaun T. Evans, Michael Grant Hall is again Musical Director, and Shirley has returned with a new last name, Giltner. She is also a delight as the Fortuneteller.
The piece is being performed in the Lyceum Space Theater, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown San Diego. While the Avo had a broad stage, the unique Space Theatre is absolutely perfect for Side Show, bringing the audience to the intimate telling of the real-life Hilton twins' life story.
The show opens as a side-show boss (Joseph Almohaya) sleazes his way across the stage inviting one and all to "Come Look at the Freaks." They all join in. There is Jake (Shawn T. Evans), from the dark continent; The Geek (Judson Harmon); The Bearded Lady (Samantha Vesco); The Harem Girls and Vale Sister (Caitlan Kunckle and Amber Plati) with Laura Feinstein as Dolly Dimples; The Snake Charmer (Lule Lampkins); Fakir (Matt Roehl); The Reptile Man (Trenton Austin); The Sheik (Evan Long); Roustabout (Anthony Simone); and 6th Exhibit (Skye Barry). Many of the cast played additional roles as well as being in the ensemble.
Joseph Almohaya plays evil with gusto. His solo, "Crazy, Deaf, and Blind," personifies his character.
Countering him are the two outsiders; usher Buddy Foster (Jeremy Shull) and vaudeville promoter Terry Connor (Jason Maddy, who reprises his
2006 role). Buddy has discovered the conjoined twins, Daisy (Shauna Hart Ostrom) and
Violet (Shelly Hart Breneman) Hilton and feels, with a bit of coaching, the girls
could become vaudeville stars. He brings Terry to see them, and Terry sees their
potential.
The plot thickens as Buddy and Violet fall in love. His trio with the
twins, "One Plus One Equals Three," expresses the complexity of that relationship.
Side Show would not be complete without the band, led by returning musical director Michael Grant Hall on keyboard, Chris Rios on keyboard and synthesizer, with Amy Kalal on woodwinds and reeds, and Steve Bidrowski on drums and percussion (both from the original band).
Side Show is the story of the real-life Hilton twins born in Brighton, England in 1908. They went from being side-show freaks to traveling the vaudeville circuit. They were "adopted" by the mother's landlady, who put them on exhibit. Eventually they toured the United States, though their life was not an easy one. Their first film experience was in the Tod Browning film, "Freaks." Their second film, "Chained for Life," was a huge failure.
Side Show covers the period of the Hiltons' lives from leaving side shows and going legit in vaudeville. The twins sang, danced and played a variety of instruments. Twins Shauna and Shelly are a perfect match for the Hiltons. According to one source, the Harts are the only identical twins to perform the show. They are not only augmented by many of their original cast members, but also by many young actresses and actors who bring a very special spirit to the show.
Of the 24 lyrical songs, many are romantic including my favorite, "Tunnel of Love," performed by the sisters and Terry and Buddy. Daisy and Violet's duets are poignant.
Side Show is, as it was in 2006, one of the highlights of the season. The cast will bring you intimately into this very interesting story.
