Intimate SIDE SHOW Set for The Belmont Theatre This Month

The Belmont Theatre will present the moving musical SIDE SHOW August 12-14 & 18-21. The show will take place in the intimate setting of The Bon-Ton Studio and will give the audience the feeling of sitting in a tent in the middle of the action. The front row sits right on the stage with the actors.

Originally released in 1997, the Belmont Theatre production is the 2014 revival version. Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, Side Show is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.

With a completely reworked plot and new songs like "VERY WELL CONNECTED", "ALL IN THE MIND", and "THE GREAT WEDDING SHOW", the 2014 revival delves deeper into the backstory of the Hilton twins. With the implementation of the twins' relationship with Harry Houdini and of a proposed separation surgery, the new book fleshes out characters and situations that endow the songs with more sophistication and truth.

SIDE SHOW is directed by Aaron Dalton. Music Direction is by Matthew Shriver and Choreography is by Donna Lynch. The cast features real- life twins Ashley & Nicole Dziurzynski as conjoined twins Daisy & Violet Hilton. Other characters include The Lizard Man, Dog Boy, Houdini, The Three Legged Woman, Bearded Lady, Pin Cushion, Tattoo Girl and more with a cast of over 25 to present the trials and tribulations of being part of a 1930's Side Show.

Patrons are urged to not wait to purchase tickets. Some of the past productions have sold out before they opened! Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays and 3pm on Sundays. The Thursday performance has more seating availability at this time. Patrons can save $2 off regular admission price if they purchase tickets prior to opening night. Group sales are available. Go to thebelmont.org or call 854-5715 for advance tickets and more information. As we transition to The Belmont Theatre, ylt.org will still take you to our website, but our new web address will be thebelmont.org. Tickets will be available at the door one hour before the performance, if available.