DreamCast: Side Show

"some hidden magnet is bringing me back,

back to this strange little show..."

I remember randomly buying the 1997 soundtrack to Side Show at Borders,
but not expecting much from it.
It grew into one of my strange favorites.
No question, it is a strange subject matter for a musical
Siamese twins in the 1920s 
breaking out of a Freak Show to find success on the Vaudeville Stage,
and finding love along the way is a
disfamailiar & intriguing plotline.
But the feelings are so relatable, &
the story seems crazy but is largely based on reality.

It's a crazy musical with some great one-liners:  
an awesome infusion of artistically altered history,
and songs that are the makings of musical theatre classics.
It is a difficult show to perform well.
The product-ablity curve is scaled against it.
Mostly because it has a tiny but weighted cast who has
to have lungs of steel & chemistry that is just as strong.
(really, how does one cast the chemistry that exists between Siamese sisters?),
the huge degree of artistic license that can be intimidating,
and the thematic controversy that erupts
from strikingly familiar, uncomfortable, & universal chords.

It only ran 91 performances on Broadway,
but has lived on well through fanatic fans as well
as regional, college, & high school productions.


  The Players

Isla Fisher & Amy Adams

as Daisy & Violet Hilton

Disclaimer: credit where credit is due. Ironically enough,
this perfect sister casting decision was my own perfect sister's suggestion.

I always mix these two actresses up in my head,
but have always appreciated their work.
Isla Fisher seems to have the urgent & flamboyant
undertone that Daisy demands,
while Amy Adams has the sweet, hopeful, & passive
demeanor Violet requires.

Peter Krause as Buddy

On Six Feet Under, he had all the right Buddy characteristics down:
disheveled, charming earnest,
half-heartedly invested despite wanting to be fully-invested,
and an inherent strand of cowardice.

Eric Dane as Terry

He is so suave you can't help but distrust him.
Maybe he's generally a good guy,
but he complicates it with the intention of his energyy.

Isaiah Washington as Jake

On Grey's Anatomy, he always begged the question:
Why so serious?
Just like Jake.
He plays unwavering & dedicated well.
And seems good, but not necessarily likable.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

as The Ringmaster

This role gets back-burnered but it is so important.

He has the stage/screen presence to serve as a production's Ringmaster.

This part can be played as a bland predator,

or a narrator of sorts who

paints the picture of the reality of the freak show

He could pull off this amazing opening &

set the stage this show requires as our

Master of the Odditorium.

Queen City Theatre Company