Side Show
Hello, and welcome to this little rinky-dink site I threw together for those of you who didn't get to see my production of "Side Show." This is not meant as a public site. Please do not share this link with anyone without asking me first, as I only sent it to the most special people I know. Now that I've sufficiently flattered you, you are obligated to read my disclaimer:
Le Disclaimer: These pictures were taken during our first dress run through of the show. There are several errors in costumes/wigs which were fixed by opening night (especially my final wig...but I'm getting ahead of myself). I have included a synopsis of the show, since it's obscure enough that some of you may not know it. It is a very brief synopsis. I have left out several aspects of it (and, of course, have added some of my own commentary). I have not done the actual show justice in my explanation, so just keep in mind that you can't judge it based on this site. If you have any questions, comments, complaints, etc., just ask! Enjoy!
The show opens with a group of people sitting on bleachers. They are all dressed in average 1930's clothes, not as the freaks they are soon to become. The Boss (the villain of the show) steps forward and introduces his freak show, trying to entice people to "Come Look at the Freaks". Everyone arises from the bleachers, turns and enters the tent where they are about to become "the freaks". Everyone except for the main attraction of the show: The singing Siamese twins. Elyse, of course, chooses this moment to blink. They start on different sides of the bleachers, come together and join as they sing their song. Thus, they transform into the freaks, and remain so until the end of their journey (the end of the show).
The freak show begins. It is basically a montage of different freaks, including a soon to be important character, Jake, "the Cannibal King" (Hey, nice costume, Jake!). The final attraction is the twins performing "in their most revealing display" (I'm the short one). Then, the boss tosses them a sheet to cover up, and they sing their song, ending the freak show montage (and speaking of costumes, yes, we are clothed under there).
We meet Terry (the businessman) and Buddy (the guy- with large hair- who is trying to get his big break). Buddy convinces Terry to come see the Siamese twins so that perhaps they could create a vaudeville act with them. Terry is intrigued and convinces the Boss to let them have some time alone with the girls.
The next scene shows the "freaks" as real people, as they celebrate the twins' birthday. The Boss interrupts the party and makes everyone leave because "the twins have a private appointment." The Boss leaves, and tells Jake to keep watch. Terry convinces Jake that his motives are good, and to please let him have a word alone with the twins. Jake is suspicious, but Violet requests that he allow them to talk to the man. Jake can never refuse Violet's requests. Terry introduces himself to the twins, and asks them some questions. We learn that the twin on the right is named Daisy (me), who is immediately attracted to Terry, and the other one is Violet. Though joined, the two girls are actually very different people. Daisy dreams of a life of fortune, fame, and glamour, while Violet wants a quiet, peaceful life with a nice husband and home. Then Terry introduces his friend Buddy, who sings to the girls- "You Deserve a Better Life"- a cute little song with a self explanatory title. They convince the twins that they could get them into vaudeville (Daisy's dream). They try to persuade the Boss to let the twins go. The Boss, however, brutally insults the twins, telling them that they could never leave the side show. However, after the Boss leaves, Terry convinces Jake to help them work behind the Boss's back, teaching the girls how to sing and dance. Again, at Violet's request, Jake gives in and agrees. After Terry and Buddy leave, the rest of the "freaks," who had been listening in on the entire conversation, tell their opinions. However, they are very divided. Some, such as the bearded lady, want the girls to stay where it is safe in the freak show, while others want them to get out and try their luck in vaudeville. Jake leads the freaks in a song ("The Devil You Know"), as they battle over whether or not the girls should leave.
A few weeks go by. Terry finds that, to his surprise, he feels a "hidden magnet" pulling him back to the freak show, and he can not understand why (Of course, he is haunted by Daisy and wants to return to see her. I have that effect on men ;) ). Buddy finds him there, and informs him that the twins are coming along with their performance quite nicely, but he thinks that Violet has a crush on him, and that Daisy has a crush on Terry.
The next scene shows the twins in their dressing room, getting ready for their first performance of their new talents for their friends in the freak show. Daisy, who wishes to announce it to the world, sings of her love for Terry, and Violet, ever the shy one, tells Daisy that these are "Feelings You've Got To Hide." However, Daisy pries out of Violet the fact that she is just as much in love with Buddy, and Violet confesses that it is true, but she will never show it.
Finally, the hour arrives when the twins get to perform a little song and dance routine for their freak show friends (at night, so that the Boss does not find out). Buddy introduces them, and they sing a cheesy song: "When I'm By Your Side."
"I like what a duo can do- the combination is greater than the sum of its parts."
However, the racket awakens the Boss, who threatens to beat the twins, who, in turn, announce that they are leaving the side show. Daisy and Violet leave their "family" to try their luck in vaudeville, bringing their closest friend, Jake, along them to help them.
Some time passes, and the twins debut in vaudeville is about to arrive. The next scene shows Terry holding a press conference, priming the reporters for their soon to commence interview with the "overnight sensations," Daisy and Violet Hilton. However, before the show, Daisy, as usual, shamelessly and obnoxiously flirts with Terry, convincing him to give her a good luck kiss, embarrassing Violet to no end. Violet gets upset with Daisy for her blatant behaviour, and Daisy gets upset with Violet for getting involved in her personal life and playing a shy, coy little act. They sing a song called "Leave Me Alone", which is really pretty comical considering the twins will never be able to leave each other alone.
The twins' first vaudeville performance is a big success, and they, indeed, become "overnight sensations." Terry, Buddy, and Jake come to congratulate them before their interview. Daisy tells Terry, "If we always get kisses, I'll try even harder." Buddy, in turn, kisses Violet for the first time, and Terry kisses Daisy. Then the interview begins. Throughout the interview sequence, Daisy and Violet step forward to sing their inner thoughts, and then step back into the real world. At first the questions are fairly harmless ("How do you sleep?" Twins: "In a bed!"), but then they start to get more personal and invasive, regarding the fact that they "work with several men." The reporters question the innocence of the relationships between the twins and Terry and Buddy. Terry announces that their questions are absurd, as he has a sweetheart at home. After the interview, Daisy is heartbroken, while Violet is still on cloud nine from Buddy's kiss. Daisy shatters her illusion by telling her, "Wake up, look around you, we are freaks stuck together, and we'll always be alone!" Daisy and Violet close Act One singing "Who Will Love Me As I Am?"- another self explanatory title.
Who will love me as I am #1
Who will love me as I am #2
Who will love me as I am #3
The Second Act: Where the real fun begins
