9 / 10
But so much of 'Side Show' goes so right, you don't mind that it still seems to be wrestling with itself, just a bit. Because you'll struggle a bit, too, as you sort out what you and the rest of the world make and made of Violet and Daisy.
6 / 10
...Bill Condon's darkly sumptuous revival, it really is better than it was. The musical has been extensively rewritten, with many new songs, richer side characters and a clearer let-your-Freaks-flag-fly message. Emily Padgett (as the stardom-eyed Daisy) and Erin Davie (as the shrinking Violet) work marvelously together, achieving both the requisite synchronicity and the trickier discreteness of personality. Ryan Silverman, Matthew Hydzik and the iron-voiced David St. Louis are impressive as their side men, and some scenes are genuinely moving. 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.
| 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 |
