About This Show
Delightfully, Side Show has reached the status of a cult musical. During its Broadway run it was either critically acclaimed (most notably by The New York Times) or assailed, and it suffered an unfortunate early demise. Regardless of its NYC longevity, the greatest asset to Side Show is its score featuring music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Bill Russell.
The show begins in the 1930s at a second-rate sideshow where “Siamese” twins Daisy and Violet Hilton are the main attraction. With the assistance of a handsome talent scout named Terry and his assistant Buddy, the twins leave the sideshow (and their mean handler) and try their luck on the vaudeville circuit. With their sideshow friend Jake along to help, the ladies set out in search of fame, acceptance and love. However, the conjoined twins find that their unique physical limitations, as well as some personal biases, present obstacles in their pursuit of attaining their dreams. The amazing final duet “I Will Never Leave You” provides the girls an opportunity to look to the future, as they come to the realization that they are as strong as they allow themselves to be, both as individuals and as a pair.
