Last weekend I ventured to the Denver Performing Arts
Complex (DPAC) to see the opening night show of “Side Show.” This musical is
currently being performed through the 29th of June by PHAMALY
(Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League, Inc.). The missions
of PHAMALY is “to enable persons with disabilities to showcase their talents
and abilities through live productions, and to make the performing arts more
accessible to everyone.”
“Side Show” is playing in the Space Theatre at DPAC. What I
thought was great about this theatre is that there is a small circular stage
surrounded by a few rows of stadium seating. Thus, it makes for a very
personable and enjoyable theatre experience. This musical is based on the true
story of Siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, detailing their transition from
a sideshow to world popularity. During their transition, the Hilton sisters
long for common dreams like fame, fortune, love, and marriage, yet deal with
the struggle of being Siamese twins who are viewed as an act and a spectacle
instead of real people. Given that sideshows used to exploit people with disabilities
as “freaks” and entertainment (as portrayed in the musical), this was an
interesting project for PHAMALY to take on. Director Steve Wilson wrote in his
notes in the program:
For those unfamiliar
with the work of PHAMALY…the company has continued on a singular journey for
the last 19 years – to highlight physically and developmentally challenged
performers through quality theatrical presentation. And there is perhaps no
other work better suited to the unique strengths of PHAMALY than Side Show. Written
to be performed by a non-disabled cast, the musical Side Show premiered on
Broadway in 1997…In its original form, the performers “pretend” to be disabled
and we are mesmerized by the artistry of their transformation. In PHAMALY’s
version, while we might still admire this transformational artistry, we can feel
a deeper and more genuine message running beneath the surface. A message not
only acted, but lived and felt. When realized by our company, this musical speaks
with an authenticity that is impossible when delivered by a non-challenged
cast.
Violet and Daisy are played by Regan Linton and Jenna
Bainbridge. Linton and Bainbridge did an exceptional job, as did the rest of
the cast, but my favorite character was definitely Jake, played by Leonard E.
Barrett. As a close friend and coworker of the Hilton sisters from the sideshow,
Barrett is incredible at portraying the raw emotion and turmoil experienced by
Jake as he deals with fear, love, heartbreak, and total emotional turmoil
during the girls’ rise to fame.
If you live in the Denver area, I highly recommend checking
out the musical! Additionally, one other section of the Director’s Notes in the
programs really jumped out at me. Wilson wrote:
One cannot help but
wondering what the experience of being connected physically to another person
must be like. No privacy, ever. The obvious questions of love and intimacy and
forced companionship linger as the play explores the themes of acceptance,
diversity, and the commonalities and complexities of the universal desire for
connection. The overt metaphor of the conjoined twins may not have been
intentional, but for me it is significant. The signature musical number poses
the question “who will love me as I am?” While in context it is specific to
those with a disability, haven’t we all asked it as some point in our lives?
Don’t we long for a resounding affirmative answer?
Some thoughts to ponder.
