SIDE SHOW Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 12:54am

Greetings and Salutations!

I just want to take a moment and apologize for my recent "absence". I'm in the midst of beginning rehearsals for a show I'm directing in January, and that's taken up a good chunk of the last week, where I'd otherwise be on the board. Thank you for your concern and curiosity.

That having been said, let's get down to business:

TODAY is Monday, November 17, marking the official opening night performance of the reimagined production of the 1997 Tony-nominated musical SIDE SHOW, previously seen at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the La Jolla Playhouse, following previews that began October 28. Academy Award winner Bill Condon, who is making his Broadway directorial debut, directs.

Condon’s new production, according to press notes, "reimagines the world of Side Show, set against the backdrop of 1920’s and 30’s show business that seamlessly blends the worlds of carnival, vaudeville, and Hollywood glamour." The musical is inspired by the "remarkable true story of the Hilton twins, Daisy and Violet, who were legends in their time and the highest paid performers on the vaudeville circuit. Side Show is their heartwarming search for first love and acceptance amidst the spectacle of fame and scrutiny under the spotlight."

Erin Davie and Emily Padgett, who starred in both the La Jolla Playhouse and Kennedy Center engagements, reprise their leading roles as conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton. The two actresses are joined by Matthew Hydzik as Buddy Foster, Robert Joy as Sir, Ryan Silverman as Terry Connor and David St. Louis as Jake with Brandon Bieber as the 3 Legged Man, Matthew Patrick Davis as the Geek, Charity Angel Dawson as the Fortune Teller, Lauren Elder as the Venus di Milo, Javier Ignacio as the Dog Boy, Jordanna James as the World’s Tiniest Woman, Kelvin Moon Loh as the Half-Man Half-Woman, Barrett Martin as the Human Pin Cushion, Don Richard as the Reptile Man, Blair Ross as the Bearded Lady, Hannah Shankman as the Tattoo Girl, Josh Walker as the World’s Tiniest Man, Con O’Shea-Creal, Derek Hanson and DeLaney Westfall.

Some seventeen years ago,the original Broadway production of Side Show opened at the Richard rodgers, and was directed by Robert Longbottom. The production starred Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner, Ken Jennings, Norm Lewis, Jeff McCarthy and Hugh Panaro. It ran for about 11 weeks, at totaled 91 performances and received four Tony nominations, including a shared nomination for co-stars Ripley and Skinner, the only time in Tony history where two people were co-nominated for the Best Actress award.

Side Show has a score by Tony nominee Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Tony nominee Bill Russell and additional book material by Condon. This evening, the freaks are pitching their tent of hijinks, heartbreak, humor, and heroism two blocks over, on 44th Street, at the St. James.

On a personal note, some years ago, I had the utmost pleasure and privilege to play 'The Boss' in a regional production, and it was a tremendous experience for me. I fell head over heels in love with the piece, and my heart goes with it tonight, as the girls make their triumphant return to the Great White Way.

A HUGE congratulations to Henry and Bill; Best wishes and blessings to all involved!

Post 'em here, kids!

Updated On: 11/17/14 at 12:54 AM

[mFabila]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 1:26am

Hoping for the best with this one!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 6:16am

And good luck with your show too!

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 8:17am

Who did the review from the Times? Are we to assume it was Isherwood since Brantley did The River?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 8:23am

Isherwood did DC, Brantley was famous for his not-quite-a-money-review esoteric rave of the original (or the equivalent, per Azenberg in the wonderful new piece on the making of the show; Azenberg said "he didn't say 'go see it.' Producers view the press very differently than some of us on these boards). If Brantley returned to the show, of the two he might be the one more likely to contrast and compare the original, perhaps more worrisome, perhaps not.

[RW3]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 9:15am

It just has to make it through January 4th.

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 10:27am

Universal has invested money in this. I wonder if they intend to keep it going. (I sure hope so.)

I think the Times is probably the review they're banking on (from what I recall, Isherwood liked it in DC).

[Feste]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 11:06am

I'm glad your absence is due to good news! Best of luck to yours as well as Side Show!

[Kad]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 12:20pm

"Producers view the press very differently than some of us on these boards."

And critics will often specifically word reviews, as well. A positive review that doesn't contain a good pull quote, for instance, can say a lot.

[newintown]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 12:50pm

I'm very interested in this one - no mega-flop like Side Show has ever been subsequently revived to enjoy financial success on Broadway. Although fans like to blame things like newspapers strikes and 911 on the failure of their favorite shows, other shows have always succeeded through the same tribulations. A show flops because an insufficient number of people want to see it.

It would be a fascinating milestone if Side Show succeeds this time. (But I don't expect it to.)

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 12:57pm

This will be part of my Thanksgiving festivities.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 4:04pm

Isherwood's review in DC was clearly one of the reasons the producers opted to bring this in, against all kinds of odds (like mediocre ticket sales at the Kennedy Center). One would assume, and if you're a fan (like I am), hope, the follow-up review would be in the same spirit. When the paper of record's validation is partially responsible for the decision to invest millions in a New York run, 11th hour nitpicking (still a possibility) would be unsettling and cruel. But there are two critics, and they both didn't travel to DC. That's my biggest concern. That Brantley covers it, and can't shake the Longbottom original, about which Azenberg seems to think Brantley condemned with faint praise. I will say: if the Times devotes more than a sentence or two to odious comparisons, it's very bad news.

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 5:55pm

I'm guessing the rain will sort of put a damper on their Times Square act one finale simulcast?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 6:45pm

Not raining now as skies seem to be clearing ~ the show must go on...

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:14pm

amNY is positive:

"For the most part, Condon’s production is a stunning achievement and a must-see attraction for anyone who cares about serious, Sondheim-style musical theater."

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/side-show-theater-review-a-spectacular-revival-1.9627068

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:16pm

The Wrap is positive:

"Condon shows musical-theater veterans how it's supposed to be done."

http://www.thewrap.com/side-show-theater-review-bill-condon-gives-twin-dreamgirls-another-shot-at-stardom/

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:20pm

Keep em coming!!! WOO HOO!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:21pm

I liked the show and production, but I really don't understand the Sondheim comparison besides it having a dark subject matter. Sondheim would never write anything as cheesy and poppy as "Who Will Me As I Am?" and "I Will Never Leave You." I enjoy both songs, but this show/production is not Sondheim-style musical theatre.

Updated On: 11/17/14 at 07:21 PM

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:30pm

Holding out good thoughts for this one so hoping that LimelightMike is back is good luck! Never saw the original. Didn't know the score. But really liked what I saw at the St James last week.

Updated On: 11/17/14 at 07:30 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:35pm

Stunning highlights from Side Show
WOW...beautifully done!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Come-See-A-New-Land-Watch-Highlights-from-SIDE-SHOW-Bowing-Tonight-on-Broadway-2014111758

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:37pm

TimeOut is MIXED (likes the production, has issues with the show)

But while this sincere and stylishly designed production is perhaps the best that Side Show can be, that best, alas, isn’t great. Bill Russell’s lyrics—the leaden rhymes drilled into Henry Krieger’s tunes, the corny banalities of the declarative songs—continually jostle the musical into kitsch. “I will never leave you,” sing the inseparable sisters in the show’s most famous song. But although their vehicle has been tuned up, I don’t expect them to stay for long...A first-rate production of a second-rate show


TimeOut Link

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 7:44pm

"“Side Show” now takes its place in the pantheon of great American musicals." The Wrap

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 8:06pm

Amazing The Wrap & Time Out saw the same show & yet came out with these differing reviews. This is why I never ever listened to critics.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 8:43pm

I wonder how _________ can reach his advanced years and not understand that different people have different opinions?

[CukorLover]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 8:47pm

Talkin' Broadway hits the nail on the head……..
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, step right up and see the blandest show on Earth!