Come on in, step inside to see “Side Show” at Arts Express Theatre January 24th-February 16th! Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their rise to fame during the Great Depression, and with music by the Grammy-Award winning composer of “Dreamgirls,” Henry Krieger, as well as a gripping book by Bill Russel, “Side Show” is a soaring, musical theatre gem you won’t want to miss. Shows run weekends January 24-February 16 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m.
The show opens with the attractions of the Midway side show and their toxic Boss (Jacob Litt), beckoning audiences to “Come inside…curiosity satisfied” in “Come Look at the Freaks.” The stars of the side show, conjoined twins Daisy (Tiff Jensen) and Violet (Rachael Fornof) sing a haunting melody, attracting the attention of talent scouts Buddy Foster (Kevin Orduño) and Terry Connor (Rafael J. Acuña). Daisy longs for fame, while Violet wishes for a “normal,” quiet life when they tell Buddy and Terry they want to be “Like Everyone Else.”
When Terry tries to convince the twins to leave the side show to tour on Vaudeville, their protective friend Jake (J. R. Gillie), voices his doubts, but once Terry says Jake can come along, the twins readily agree and “Say Goodbye to Freak Show.”
As Daisy and Violet hone their talents and their audiences grow on the road, it becomes apparent that Daisy is falling in love with Terry, while Violet is falling for Buddy, though Violet doesn’t think it wise to say anything, “Feelings You’ve Got to Hide.” The twins’ rise to fame brings them to the pinnacle of performing at the Follies, and as everyone celebrates, Buddy asks Violet to marry him and she happily accepts. Meanwhile Daisy realizes her feelings for Terry have deepened, but she sees how he resists returning them, and she grows despondent. All four start to question the reality of being in love and married to a conjoined twin. Ultimately Daisy and Violet find their own love and acceptance and take control of their own fate in “I Will Never Leave You.”
With a beautiful, lush score infused with pop, rock, and vaudeville styles, and a gritty, honest, though hopeful story, “Side Show” has become a musical theatre aficionado’s favorite.
The New York Times heralded “Side Show” as “Daring, enthralling … [with] passion, empathy and directness [that is] reflected in the tidal pull of the music and the winning simplicity of the lyrics…. Grafts the Hilton sisters into the hearts of their audience.”
“Side Show” is Directed by Michael Stewart, with Music Direction by Dr. Anne Grimes and Choreography by Kenzie Jean Roberts.
Content Guide: This production may not be suitable for young audiences. Content includes negative perceptions of physical differences and racial inequity.
For tickets, visit https://www.arts-express.org/side-show/ or call the Arts Express Theatre Box Office at (520) 319-0400.
ABOUT ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE
Arts Express Theatre is southern Arizona’s leading musical theatre company, staging large-scale professional quality musical theatre productions throughout the year. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AET is committed to opening the arts to all ages. It serves over 25,000 people annually through a continuum of introductory and advanced programs, and engaging audience experiences.
