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"Side
Show"
"Side Show."
Book & Lyrics by Anthony Van Laast; music by Henry Krieger, directed
by Bill Condon; choreography by Bill Russell.
St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th St., New York City.
212-239-6200 or 800-432-7250; www.SideShowBroadway.com
Opened Nov. 17, 2014; closing Jan 4, 2015.
Reviewed by Lucy Komisar Nov. 20, 2014.
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| The
carnival workers, with Hilton sisters at the back. Photo by Joan
Marcus. |
Based on the real story of the conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet
Hilton, who in the 20s and 30s had a glamorous career in vaudeville
– even touring with Bob Hope – this fascinating musical
is colorful, clever, and funny. It also has some subtle, non-preachy
things to say about who is a "freak."
The story takes us back to when the sisters — Emily Padgett
as Daisy and Erin Davie as Violet, both outstanding —
were teens forced by their stepfather to appear in his carnival.
We get a look at the nature of the individuals who by physical condition
appeared to have little choices in life, of their solidarity, and
of the meanness of the carnival owner from whom the sisters were rescued
by Terry (Ryan Silverman), a vaudeville talent scout, and Buddy (Matthew
Hydzik), a voice and dance master.
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| David St.
Louis as Jake, Emily Padgett as Daisy, Erin Davie as Violet. Photo
by Joan Marcus. |
David St. Louis is good as Jake, the sisters’ protector, who
leaves the carnival, where he played a garish chained African cannibal,
to work backstage in their new gig. He has a fine baritone in which
to express his feelings for them.
Padgett and Davie are charming as the sisters with very different
personalities and goals. That shouldn’t surprise, it’s
true for normal twins. And the Hiltons make a point of wanting to
be normal. Daisy (Padgett has a lovely soprano) wants to be
acclaimed. Violet wants to settle down.
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| Emily
Padgett as Daisy and Erin Davie as Violet. Photo by Joan Marcus. |
When the young women join the Orpheum Circuit, we see how good they
are. Writer Anthony Van Laast turns their disability into a clever,
good-spirited theatrical routine that never abuses them.
They sing that "We’re very well connected" and "I
will never leave you." With the backdrop of Dad’s Glue
Factory, they do a song-and-dance number called, "I am stuck
with you."
Bill Russell’s choreography takes full advantage of the jazzy
era. Dressed in glittery velvet red strap gowns, they give a new meaning
to syncopated dancing. They are shown not as freaks or handicapped,
but as glamorous.
When they go to court to win their freedom from the stepfather/carnival
owner (Robert Joy) who says he legally controls them, a reporter asks,
"If you win your freedom, what do you intend to do?" Violet
says, "Have a cocktail." Daisy says, "Have a man. Their
promoters interject, "Earn a living." And they did.
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| Ryan Silverman
as Terry, Emily Padgett as Daisy, Erin Davie as Violet and Matthew
Hydzik as Buddy. Photo by Joan Marcus. |
Of course the question of romance comes up pretty soon. The press
wants to know about their love life. A great number is "One plus
one equals three," in a bed with three hearts: "my baby,
her sister and me."
Terry wants Daisy alone and urges her to undergo a dangerous operation
to split her from her sister. Buddy says he wants to marry Violet,
but there is a major impediment which he hasn’t revealed.
A stunning number, "Who will love me as I am?," is suddenly
joined by the "freaks" from the sideshow.
Charity Angel Dawson, the carnival Fortune Teller, is a terrific blues
singer. Javier Ignacio, who plays Houdini, surprises us by arriving
upside-down on a hanging rope and then breaking into a fine baritone.
In fact, the singing in "Side Show" is among the best on
Broadway.
Director Bill Condon has succeeded in creating a mood that is both
upbeat and realistic. It’s an extraordinary production.
Visit Lucy Komisar’s website
http://thekomisarscoop.com |
