9 / 10
Whether wearing tattered dresses or sumptuous, sparkling gowns, all designed by Paul Tazewell, Padgett and Davie are always riveting to watch. In the final scene, voluntarily facing yet another arena of exploitation, the twins reflect sadly, 'Are we ever to learn/why we've lived as two.' Thanks to Krieger's memorable melodies and the stellar cast, the audience will be thinking about the same thing.
9 / 10
The musical about the real-life conjoined Hilton sisters, which crashed and burned in its 1997 premiere, has risen in a revision so radical and deeply satisfying that arguments could be made for calling it new...And with composer Henry Krieger ('Dreamgirls') and author Bill Russell, Condon created a big, old-fashioned, shamelessly entertaining musical that tells its human story while embracing, without forcing, issues beyond the showbiz saga of the sisters' sensational and sad freak show/vaudeville/Hollywood lives...Emily Padgett and Erin Davie are beautifully matched as the twins...While their predecessors in the roles were soaring pop belters, these women blend and contrast with sophisticated delicacy...the staging is so smart that we hardly notice such schlocky remaining lyrics as 'You should be cherished like the first bird of springtime.' The sisters may sing 'goodbye to the side show,' but Broadway is saying hello.
| 1997 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2006 |
Welsh Revival |
|
| 2006 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Ryan Silverman |
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Erin Davie |
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Bill Condon |
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Side Show |
| 2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Peter Hylenski |
| 2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Side Show |
