Theater Review: ‘Side Show,’ a Center Ring Spectacular

Theater Review: ‘Side Show,’ a Center Ring Spectacular
The cast of “Side Show.” Joan Marcus
Updated:

NEW YORK—Operatic and grandiose, the Broadway musical “Side Show” (book and lyrics: Bill Russell, music: Henry Krieger, and additional book material: Bill Condon) returns to New York with a wallop.

Terry Connor (Ryan Silverman), a booking agent without a job in 1930s Texas, happens upon a traveling side show, a sort of home for those considered the freaks of society. The star attractions are the beautiful conjoined Hilton twins, Violet and Daisy (Erin Davie and Emily Padgett).

Terry sees the money potential in the pair. With the help of his friend Buddy (Matthew Hydzik), a dance instructor and performer, and Jake (David St. Louis), a side show roustabout secretly in love with Violet, Terry succeeds in freeing the twins from the legal control of their violent and alcoholic guardian, Sir (Robert Joy).

Soon the girls become the toast of the vaudeville circuit. However, they find themselves subjected to the same questions and stares they experienced while in the side show.

The beautiful conjoined Hilton twins, Violet and Daisy (Erin Davie and Emily Padgett), in "Side Show," now running on Broadway. (Andrew Ecelles)
The beautiful conjoined Hilton twins, Violet and Daisy (Erin Davie and Emily Padgett), in "Side Show," now running on Broadway. Andrew Ecelles
Judd Hollander
Judd Hollander
Author
Judd Hollander is a reviewer for stagebuzz.com and a member of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle.
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