By Elizabeth Stout
Side Show presented by the Queensbury Theatre in Houston, Texas is uncomfortable, and I mean that in the best way possible. Written by Bill Russel with Music by Henry Krieger, Side Show is based on the lives of conjoined twin Violet and Daisy Hilton. Originally opening on Broadway in 1997, it was nominated for four Tony Awards before being revised and revived in 2014.
The show opens with the rousing number “Come Look at the Freaks”, sung by Sir (Brian Mathis), the proprietor of the side show, and the ensemble of “Freaks”. We are then introduced to the stars of the side show Violet (Teressa Zimmerman) and Daisy (Holland Vavra), a pair of conjoined twins who we later discover are being exploited by their guardian. Terry Connor (Nick Szoeke), a vaudeville talent agent and Buddy Foster (Nathan Wilson), a singing and dancing coach, find the girls are conspire to rescue them from the sideshow. With the help of their friend and former bodyguard Jake (Malik Cole), the girls manage to secure their freedom and head off in search of stardom. The rest of the show follows their misadventures in the spotlight and their search for acceptance both from others and from themselves.
This show is extremely well cast with a backbone of an incredible ensemble and a handful of standout leads. The synchronicity and unity shown by Zimmermann and Vavra is almost indescribable. The success of this show hinges on their ability to accurately portray this complicated relationship, both physically and emotionally, and they are spot on in all categories. Their connection and chemistry are particularly evident in their moving rendition of “I Will Never Leave You”, which left many audience members and one reviewer reaching for their tissues.
Mathis does an amazing job of bringing the complex character of Sir to life. While the obvious antagonist, he is played with a nuance that reminds us that often the worst villains are the ones who don’t recognize their own villainy. And we are forced to consider that monstrosities can be carried out under the guise of compassion.
Szoeke manages to bring depth to a character who we are never quite sure if we love or hate. Just when you are pretty sure that he is not “one of the good guys”, his emotionally charged performance of “A Private Conversation” leaves you understanding his callous decisions and almost feeling sorry for him.
Wilson is absolutely believable as a vaudeville performer, clearly multi-talented, I was particularly impressed with his juggling skills during “One plus One equals Three”. Buddy’s misguided attempts to please Violet are played with such earnestness it is both enduring and heartbreaking to watch.
Cole’s realistic portrayal of the sweet-natured Jake, left us gutted during “You Should Be Loved.” His ability to play a quiet reserved character while still emoting raw vulnerability is admirable.
The harmony of the production team in evident, as the direction by Marley Singletary, choreography by Bethany White and music direction by Debbie Wylie complement each other perfectly. The live band, under the direction of Wylie, lends itself particularly well to the overall ambiance of the piece.
Scenic design by Ryan McGettigan and sound design by Michael Burka is evocative. Particularly during the pre-show where we were treated to a silent clip of the 1932 movie “Freaks” juxtaposed against vaudeville era music. The result is unsettling and sets the mood perfectly.
The costume design by Kristin Knipp, navigates the difficulties of this show very well and effectively transports us to the showbiz world of 1930. The twins’ many costume changes are a treat and the effect of their connection is well executed. The hair and makeup design by Jayson Kolbicz accentuate the costumes and help cement the believability of the side show’s many denizens.
I would recommend this show for ages 10 and up, there are moments of light innuendo, but it is full of relevant themes such as racism, prejudice, and importance of self-acceptance that are great talking points with your teen. Queensbury Theater’s Side Show in Houston, Texas is an unforgettable experience that will leave you pondering the ties that bind us all together as well as the differences that set us apart, both the ones that we can hide and ones we can’t.
Queensbury Theatre presents Side Show, Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell, Music by Henry Kreiger.
Queensbury Theater, 12777 Queensbury Ln, Houston, TX, 77024
March 28-April 14 7:30 PM Thur, 8:00 PM Fri-Sat, Sat and Sun Matinee 2:00 PM
Tickets: $21-85 https://www.queensburytheatre.org/tickets
Contact: 713-467-4497, boxoffice@queensburytheatre.org
Queensbury Theatre Facebook Page
Side Show Facebook Event
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