Student Musical ‘Side Show’ a Cause for Introspection
Contact: Karen Cole, 581-4704; George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — UMaine School of Performing Arts associate professor of theater Sandra Hardy knows she will raise eyebrows when she bandies the word “freak” around in explaining the latest student theatrical production opening in February in Hauck Auditorium.
“Side Show,” the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who worked as a circus act and later became famous stage performers in the 1930s, is a musical — both tragic and comedic — that Hardy says is sure to stir conflicting emotions.
Hardy directs the production — and its cast of 35 characters with a host of physical conditions — in a way that forces the audience to take an introspective look at how people who are different are treated.
The show runs Feb. 13-14 and Feb. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. Admission is $12 and free for UMaine students with a MaineCard.
Sideshow, written by Bill Russell, with music by Henry Krieger, opened on Broadway in 1997, ran for 91 performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and closed after just a year, in spite of critical acclaim. It is a musical that can be fun and entertaining, yet challenging for the actors, says Hardy.
“I have a strong foundation in terms of cast,” she says.
With its story told in song and dance, with a full orchestra providing music, the musical poignantly portrays how people with physical differences were viewed and treated by society in an earlier time in America. Many of them wound up exploited as carnival sideshow exhibits, the only work they could get.
The Hilton twins — as characters in the musical and as they lived — “were used and abused unmercifully,” Hardy says. “But that is not what this is about. It’s about their success.”
Student actors bring to the stage characters of their own creation: dwarfs, giants, people with reptilian hands, four arms, snake-like bodies or elephant-skin characteristics, among others.
“‘Freak’ is an ugly word, but the fact of the matter is we are all freaks,” Hardy says. “We fall in love with freaks, we have children who are freaks… A nicer word for it is we are different. Our differences physically, our differences in how we think. I think of the little boy who doesn’t read well. If we had teachers who understood that everyone is special, then we could showcase this kid who may be a genius at Legos, but he can’t read.
“That’s where I’m going with this piece,” she says. “Look at the people who are different, who have created wonderful things.”
Because of unusual physical characteristics, “some marvelous spirits may be overlooked,” even today, Hardy laments. “That’s what I’m trying to say.”
The production is suitable for all audiences, Hardy says. “I think people can expect great entertainment, a thoughtful theme and really fun performances,” set in a colorful carnival atmosphere.
Carrying the roles of the twins conjoined at the hip are Abigail Coulter and Hannah Kramer. Male leads include Dustin Sleight, Adam Blais, Kevin Child and Gregory Middleton. Female leads include Christine Larson, with Amanda Fahey and Phaelon O’Donnell as solo dancers. Anthony Arnista also is a solo dancer.
Music director for his sixth musical at UMaine is Daniel Williams, an alumnus of UMaine, who works for the University of Maine Foundation. Another alumnus, Brianne Beck, is the choreographer. Frank Champa oversees costume design and Dan Bilodeau is in charge of sets and lighting.
Call 581-1755 for more information or reservations.