Freak Out: Side Show
July 23, 2010 by Hedonista · Leave a Comment
Ah, freak out!
Le freak, c’est chic….
ArtsWest’s mission is to produce “artistic events so fiercely compelling that they require conversation, improve the imagination, and promote cultural as a core value for the communities of Seattle.”
The freak show in full effect. (Photo by Nichole DeMent, provided by ArtsWest. Used with permission.)
This summer, while season performances are on hiatus, ArtsWest gears up its Theater Education Programs, which are divided into three groups: 1) Summer Musical Academy (students aged 8-12); 2) Theater Conservatory (students aged 12-16); and 3) Musical Theater Apprentice Program (students aged 16-21). The “final exam” of these classes takes the form of a performance run.*
Enter Side Show: for twelve days – from July 21 until August 1 – ArtsWest’s Summer Musical Theater Apprenticeship Program presents the Broadway cult-musical Side Show. Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, this soul-searching rise and fall tale follows the more glamorous portions of their life story (which, in reality, was truly tragic), from England to the United States during the post-Depression era.
Performed by students from around the country aged 16-21, this musical is of course green and raw – but in a very good, powerful, way. (Last night your Hedonista attended as media, complete with comped tickets.) The energy of this group is absolutely contagious – and reason enough to attend (and to completely forget the odd “oops” such as a slip and fall or misplaced step during a dance act). But combine this with youthful talent and a fascinating story (book and lyrics by Bill Russell) and era-appropriate music such as “I Will Never Leave You” and “Who Will Love Me As I Am?” by Henry Krieger (composer for Dreamgirls), and you have a flat-out good time.
Daisy (Rianna Hidalgo) on the left and Violet (Becca Orts) on the right play identical twins joined at the hips and hineys - literally (they were conjoined, pygopagus twins joined at the hips and fused at the pelvis). (Photo by Nichole DeMent, provided by ArtsWest. Used with permission.)
Directed by Christopher Zinovitch with Music Director Troy Wageman, Side Show was nominated for no less than four Tony Awards – including Best Musical and Best Original Musical Score – during its Broadway run from 1997 to 1998. The conjoined Hilton twins – Daisy played by Rianna Hidalgo (Beauty and the Beast, Hair) and Violet by Becca Orts (The Prince and the Pauper, High School the Musical).
From a circus freak show to vaudeville to Hollywood, from success to lost love, these beautiful flowers – in both appearance and voice – will simply not wilt. Of course, flowers can’t survive without a nurturing supporting cast and mini pit orchestra – which this class of nearly two dozen manages in spades.
As they sing in the opening act, “come look at the freaks” in this particular (fictional) case, you’ll be glad you did.
*The Summer Musical Academy presents the musical Seusical Jr. from August 11-15 and The Theater Conservatory performs the Aristophanes political comedy The Birds from August 18-22.
