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Side Show...What a Show!
By Rob Stevens
*Critic's Pick*
The first must see show of 2002 opened 2-2-02 at the Burbank Center Stage. The Colony Theatre Company is presenting the Southern California Premiere of Side Show and what a show it is! Bill Russell’s book and lyrics, along with Henry Krieger’s music, tell the story of real-life Siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. It’s a dark, dangerous, thrilling musical that really grips an audience visually, aurally, and emotionally. Unfortunately, Broadway audiences, more attuned to crashing chandeliers and soaring helicopters, avoided the show. It did receive some Tony nominations but had already closed its short stay on the Great White Way and lost everything to the flashier, more popular The Lion King. Broadway’s loss is L.A.’s gain if the packed to the rafters SRO opening night audience in Burbank was any indication. Side Show’s rush and crush for tickets would make P.T. Barnum smile broadly.
The show opens tremendously with the Sondheim-ish "Come Look at The Freaks," led by the Side Show Boss (Todd Nielsen) as he introduces his roster of human oddities. Aspiring songwriter and performer Buddy (Mark W. Smith) has brought his friend and booking agent Terry Connor (Kevin Earley) to see an act he thinks may have potential on the vaudeville circuit. That’s the joined at the hip sisters, Violet (Misty Cotton) and Daisy (Julie Dixon Jackson). Terry’s intrigued by the girls and their potential and encourages Buddy to secretly rehearse them. In true show biz fashion, the girls do have some musical comedy chops and are soon touring vaudeville, managed by Terry and choreographed by Buddy.
Early on, the girls are asked their dreams. Violet’s is a husband and family; Daisy’s is fame. They both get their wishes in a "be careful what you wish for" mode as the smitten Buddy proposes to Violet and the tabloids fantasize about the twins' sexual lives. Although Russell’s book looks at the phenomenon of the twins’ career, the main focus is on their personal lives and that is the book’s strength. Daisy is enamored of Terry, and although he is attracted to her, he has trouble overcoming the twins’ physical reality. This is keenly highlighted in the fantasy number "Private Conversation." Violet loves Buddy, but Buddy is unsure if he feels love or pity for her. All the heated emotions of the quartet of would-be-lovers is brilliantly enacted in the powerful "Tunnel of Love" number.
Director Nick DeGruccio has done a stellar job of staging the show and keeping the flow moving smoothly. He also excelled in his casting choices for the leading players. Cotton and Dixon Jackson make a stunning duo. They also create unique, different variations on their twin identities. Violet’s shyness and vulnerability are keenly etched as are Daisy’s brassier dreams and desires. Their Act One closer, "Who Will Love Me As I Am," really deserves the honor of being called a showstopper the way these actresses sell it. Earley delivers yet another dynamic performance in an amazing string of performances on local musical stages the past 12 months. His Terry is strong and forceful as well as scared at giving in to his feelings. And what a voice! Smith is all smiles and spunk befitting the optimistic Buddy. David Jennings also delivers a standout performance as Jake, another Side Show resident who leaves that venue to tour with the twins because of his secret love for Violet. The large chorus is fine in choral numbers although individually weak. But they provide good atmosphere.
The show’s technical aspects are all top notch--Tom Griffin’s musical direction, Bradley Kaye’s scenic design, A. Jeffrey Schoenberg’s costumes, Drew Dalzell’s sound, and most especially Steven Young’s lighting. See Side Show or live to regret it! And at these ticket prices, you can see it twice for the cost of one ticket to see the musical that beat it at the Tony Awards and is now also playing in Los Angeles.
Side Show, produced by Barbara Beckley at the Burbank Center Stage, 555 N. Third St. in Burbank. (818) 558-7000. $28-31. Thur-Sat, 8; Sun, 2. Closes Apr. 7.
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