Making their way to a Manila stage: ‘Circus freaks’ from 1930s America
“‘Side Show the Musical’ tells the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton as they journey from a sideshow attraction to the bright lights of vaudeville. It is a celebration of sisterhood, survival, and one’s longing for love and acceptance.”
That description is from Toff de Venecia, aka former Rep. Christopher de Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan who is also the founding artistic director of the theater company Sandbox Collective.
He spoke about his latest production at a recent media event at the Privato Hotel, Quezon City. “Side Show the Musical” has just opened at Blackbox Theater, Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati, and will run until Aug. 17.
American prejudice
De Venecia, known for his innovative, cutting-edge productions, added, “The musical is about the twins’ inspiring journey of survival and identity. It’s also a portrait of outcasts fighting for their place, and the chance to be loved.”
The setting is 1930s America, the time of the Depression. It was during this period that the poet-writer Carlos Bulosan tried to organize his fellow Filipino farmworkers and suffered violent discrimination in racist California (“No Filipinos and dogs allowed”).
Like the twins Daisy and Violet, Bulosan was an outcast, but he later became a bestselling author with his personal history “America Is in the Heart.”
The hit Broadway play is by Bill Russel and Henry Krieger. In the play, the “Siamese twins” are paired with other circus characters like a three-legged man, a half-man/half-woman, a female Cossack, a tattoo girl (that must have been a novelty then), and Cannibal King.
One production number carries the unkindly title “Come Look at the Freaks.” Other songs include “You Deserve a Better Life” and “Crazy, Deaf and Blind.”
The twins are played by Tanya Manalang and Marynor Madamesila (with alternates Molly Langley and Kystal Kane). They are supported by a large, high-powered cast that includes Jon Santos, CJ Navato of Star Magic, Reb Atadero, and Marvin Ong.
The show’s musical director is Ejay Yatco.
The press event featured a so-called magic act with “Ivan the Selfie Magician” seeming to levitate a young woman lying straight in the air, supported only by a pole. More boxes were brought in effortlessly, giving the impression that these were empty.
Then Jon Santos popped up suddenly (like that showgirl in the wedding cake!) and cut loose with an act a la Liza Minelli in “Cabaret.”
The cast also talked how they resonated with their characters, with a few noting how the story strikes powerful chords about surviving oppression and fighting for acceptance and belonging.
Despite being regarded as “freaks,” “they just want to belong to society,” De Venecia said.
“It is about the strength of the human spirit,” a theater buff chimed in. A story of love, family, and identity—issues that continue to resonate among Filipinos today, especially the young ones still in search of themselves.
