‘Side Show’ (photo by Matthew Wexler via The Broadway Blog.)
Have you tired of those happy-go-lucky musicals packed with leggy chorus girls and perfectly coifed gents tapping their way through a perky Cole Porter dance break? Fear not, the dark, underbelly of show business is arriving on Broadway this fall and it’s called Side Show.
In an unprecedented move, the creative team and producers of Side Show invited press into the St. James Theatre for a first look at the much-anticipated musical revival by Bill Russell (Pageant) and Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls). The original production, which opened in 1997, ran for only 91 performances but has been a cult favorite ever since.
Based on the real-life story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who made a name for themselves on the Vaudeville circuit, the plot is set against the backdrop of 1920s and ’30s show business, seamlessly blending the worlds of carnival, vaudeville and Hollywood glamour.
Speaking of Hollywood, notable film director Bill Condon is at Side Show’s helm. Condon is known for his screen adaptation of Dreamgirls, which won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. The stellar production team includes sets by David Rockwell, costumes by Paul Tazewell and special make-up effects designed by Dave and Lou Elsey.
Previews begin October 28 with an official opening scheduled for November 17.
‘Side Show’ (photo: Matthew Wexler via The Broadway Blog.)
‘Side Show’ (photo: Matthew Wexler via The Broadway Blog.)
‘Side Show’ (photo: Matthew Wexler via The Broadway Blog.)
‘Side Show’ (photo: Matthew Wexler via The Broadway Blog.)