“Side Show”: An unusual look at life
Published online March 17, 2017 on Morganhilllife.com
By Camille Bounds
A unique true story about Daisy and Violet Hilton conjoined twins that rose from a freak side show to a startling, sensational vaudeville attraction in the early twentieth century. With music by Henry Krieger, of Dreams Works fame and book and lyrics by Bill Russell. “Side Show” was nominated for many awards for the 1998 Tony Awards with five nominations for the Drama Desk Awards in the 2014 revival, And in 2015 received the Helen Hayes Award for outstanding Musical.
Milissa Carey directs this difficult reworked presentation with a controlled hand. Throughout the performance Jessica (Daisy) and Lauren Meyer (Violet), remain attached at the lower hip throughout 99% of the performance and must coordinate every move together. They have the moves well controlled and work together almost as one. They both have well trained pleasant voices that deliver Russell’s songs with an edge that keeps you listening. This 20 member cast are well rehearsed and work well together within the small parameter they are afforded.
The Lohman Theatre is a small intimate theatre and Lynn Grant’s set made to fit the stage for “Side Show” that is cleaver and creative. The orchestra made up of six instruments with 2 keyboards, violin, trumpet, bass and percussion under the direction of Delores Duran is set off in a small room in the corner of the stage and must work with a TV feed from the stage are not only excellent musicians but interesting in their exacting delivery without actually seeing the actor that is singing, Brett and CJ Blankenship’s choreography keeps the story moving with Shannon Maxham’s time of the early 20th century costumes.
“Side Show” is an edgy a bit long production the shows another side of life that really did exist and reveals that survival comes from resolve and determination.
Camille Bounds is Theatre Arts and Entertainment Columnist for Gilroy Life and Morgan Hill Life. She can be reached at: [email protected].
“Side Show”
Where: Lohman Theatre
Foothill College Campus
12345 El Monte Road – Los Altos Hills
Tickets b$12-$32
Through: March 19
Reservations and information: (650 949-7360)
or visit: www.foothill.edu/theatre/current.php
