Considering America’s current fixation on “freaks,” (think “American Horror Story – Freak Show”) the revival of the musical SIDE SHOW on broadway couldn’t arrive at a more opportune time. Whether by design, or just shear coincidence, it’s certainly a lucky break for the show that opened last night at New York’s St. James Theatre. Not that any luck was necessary, as the success of SIDE SHOW was certainly a calculated strategic effort from a very talented creative team.
SIDE SHOW, the revival of the 1998 musical about conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton, succeeds in giving us far more than just freaks. Originally opening on Broadway in 1998, this new production has been considerably reworked, and updated. In spite of the updates and changes, the story of SIDE SHOW remains relatively the same as its original, with a few twists and surprises that actually help the story along and make it easier to understand and more believable. The show has become darker as well, more akin to the freak show genera of Film and television.
In spite of its grim undertones from the wold of the strange and freaks, SIDE SHOW actually contains some positive messages. Some obvious, and some not as much. Also, quite a few songs were added, while a few of the originals were dropped. These changes help to improve the show overall, and don’t detract at all from the original. In fact, if you are a fan of the original SIDE SHOW, you will leave this production even more excited than you did the first time. This, according to several die-hard SIDE SHOW fans of the 1998 version with whom I consulted. And don’t worry, the big show-stopping numbers haven’t gone anywhere. Impeccably performed by Erin Davie and Emily Padgett as Violet and Daisy, they raise the roof several times, leaving the audience with chills and garnering multiple standing ovations in the process.
Besides Davie and Padgett, the entire cast delivers in this production with performances that bring the freak show from the pages of books and movie screens to the stage. Our two leading men, Terry and Buddy, played by Ryan Silverman and Mathew Hydzik respectively, portray the dashing duo with ease, and have voices to match. As well, they manage to provide some comic relief when necessary.
All in all, SIDE SHOW is not to be missed. Not only will you be astounded by the “freaks,” you just might leave having a change of heart about people in the world who may be different. Just maybe.
