Beginning July 26, theatergoers will be treated to a bold and emotionally charged theatrical experience as The Sandbox Collective opens its newest production, ‘Side Show: The Musical’, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati.
The 1997 Broadway hit, written by Bill Russell with music by Henry Krieger, tells the extraordinary true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who rose to fame in 1930s America as vaudeville performers after a life in the sideshow circuit. The original Broadway production earned four Tony nominations in 1998, including Best Musical.
This staging by Sandbox returns to the original version—not the 2014 Broadway revival—which director Toff de Venecia calls his favorite. “This is my favorite version of the show. It’s the one I grew up with, and it’s also the version I got to direct for Ateneo blueREP back in 2010,” De Venecia said during a press preview held last month.
Following last year’s acclaimed ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, this year’s ‘Side Show’ is a “full circle moment” for the director. But beyond nostalgia, the choice of material is steeped in advocacy.
“We like to platform advocacies and we want to talk about social issues, and I think this was the perfect version of the show to be able to do just that,” De Venecia explained. “If you really dig deep, a freak is an ‘other.’ And when you look at the politics of the ‘other,’ it’s really the marginalized, the underrepresented, the voiceless, the oppressed.”
Side Show will feature two powerhouse tandem casts alternating as the Hilton twins:
- Tanya Manalang-Atadero and Molly Langley as Violet Hilton
- Marynor Madamesila and Krystal Kane as Daisy Hilton
The dual casting highlights the physical and emotional intricacies of playing conjoined twins. For Manalang-Atadero, who is an only child, the experience has been profound. “Every time I make a choice, I have to consider her [my co-actor]. For the first time in my life, I’m starting to know what it feels like to have a biological sister.”
Kane added, “When I was singing with Molly, I felt like we were already connected. That’s when I knew I could do this role with her.”
Joining them are Reb Atadero and CJ Navato as Terry Connor, and Tim Pavino and Vien King as Buddy Foster—both characters serve as love interests to the twins. Theater veteran Jon Santos stars as the charismatic yet manipulative Boss, while Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas alternate as Jake.
The show also marks the theater debut of former child star Rhap Salazar, alongside a strong ensemble cast that includes Arion Sanchez, Raflesia Bravo, Red Nuestro, Reine Paisley, Mikee Baskiñas, and many more.
Musical director Ejay Yatco revealed that Side Show leans into an opera-style structure. “Halos dire-diretso ‘yung buong music… It’s kind of an opera format but musical theater,” he said, adding that nearly every scene is sung through, with minimal spoken dialogue.
“It’s like watching a film with live background scoring. The orchestra brings the emotion to every scene.”
The demanding format left the cast in intensive rehearsals for weeks. “Saludo ako sa kanila,” said Yatco, who praised their stamina and dedication.
The staging utilizes an alley-style setup with audiences on both sides, adding a layer of intimacy and immersion. “It’s almost like you’re there with them,” said De Venecia, noting its similarity in feel to the musical ‘Himala’.
The production also features illusions and sleight-of-hand magic by Ivan the Selfie Magician, who served as a consultant, giving the show a distinct sideshow authenticity.
More than spectacle, however, Side Show explores deeper themes—identity, survival, sisterhood, and acceptance. “Hopefully, when you watch it, you feel seen,” shared Atadero. “Even if there’s a part of you that you hide from everybody, we want you to feel validated.”
Show Details:
- Dates: July 26 to August 17
- Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati
- Ticket Price: ₱2,500–₱2,900 via Ticket2Me
