‘Side Show’ tackles story of conjoined twins completely through song
Almost all of the dialogue in the upcoming Musical Theatre Guild of Butler production is sung by its characters. It will be underscored by a pit of musicians performing music reminiscent of the 1920s, when the musical is set.
“Side Show” is a musical that debuted in 1997. It tells the story of real-life conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet, and their lives in the circus in the 1920s. The music also helps transport viewers to the time period because it is played in the vaudeville and follies style that was accurate for the age.
Ken Smith, the director of “Side Show” for the organization, pitched the show to the guild’s selection committee. It shows at Musical Theatre Guild, 100 Memorial Drive in Butler, Friday to Sunday, Oct. 16 to 18, and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24, at the stage in Butler Memorial Park.
Smith said the show and its themes are still relevant, even though it is based on the true lives of conjoined twins in the 1920s.
“The message that we’re trying to convey is we’re trying to get people to look beyond appearances and labels and see people for who they truly are,” Smith said. “It’s a wonderful story, and it’s got everything.”
Smith also directed a production of “Side Show” in the 1990s, and said he still feels attached to the way the characters convey themes of acceptance.
The upcoming production has a cast and crew that is relatively large for the Musical Theatre Guild. The show features about 20 actors, a slew of musicians, and a production crew that includes stage dressers and a costumer, all meant to evoke the time period of the musical.
The five principle actors are Megan Flannery and Mara Flannery, real-life sisters who play Daisy and Violet; Evan Shields, Rich Bresenhan and Miracle Harris.
The performance space has been made up to look like the inside of a circus tent, created by Vince Sanzotti. Smith shouted out costumer Danyle Verzinski, who found items fitting to the era of the musical. Choreographer Nicole Uram helped to match the constant singing with moves that sell the emotion of the story.
Smith said the larger cast size helped get more people involved in the Butler theater community. He said one of his measures of success for a show is how many people get introduced or involved in local theater through a production. He said he hopes “Side Show” catches interest from a cast swath of people.
“I am thrilled that half of our cast is new to the community,” Smith said. “I think what MTG is trying to do is focus on musicals that are niche and more suitable for the space they have to perform in and kind of the range of performers that we get.”
“Side Show” shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at 100 Memorial Drive, Butler. Tickets and more information are available at mtgbutler.org.
