Side Show (1997 Broadway Version)

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Side Show (1997 Broadway Version)

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  9w, 13m

Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell
Music by Henry Krieger

Based on the life story of the legendary Hilton twins, Daisy and Violet, Side Show follows the sisters' heartwarming search for love and acceptance amidst the spectacle of fame.

Image: 2014 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    9w, 13m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography
  • Suggested Use
    • Competition or Audition Material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee! 1998 Tony Awards, Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score
    Nominee! 2015 Drama Desk Award, Best Revival of a Musical
    Nominee! 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Revival of a Musical

Details

Summary
Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, Side Show is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.
History
Side Show was first presented on Broadway by Emanuel Azenberg, Joseph Nederlander, Herschel Waxman, Janice McKenna and Scott Nederlander at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City on October 16, 1997. It was directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom. A revised version of the musical ran at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California, in late 2013. Bill Condon directed with choreography by Anthony Van Laast. The production next played at the Kennedy Center in June and July 2014 then  began previews on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on October 28, 2014. Side Show Revival opened officially on November 17, with the same cast.
  • Time Period 1930s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"Daring, enthralling ... [with] passion, empathy and directness [that is] reflected in the tidal pull of the music and the winning simplicity of the lyrics.... Grafts the Hilton sisters into the hearts of their audience." - The New York Times

"A bright and moving musical.... From the first, almost Brechtian scene the show completely holds interest.... A rousing blast off for the Broadway season." - New York Post

RELATED ARTICLES ON BREAKING CHARACTER

SIDE SHOW Live: Q&A With Broadway Records Producer, Van Dean
by Ashley Moniz
March 17, 2015

SIDE SHOW Lyricist Bill Russell on Revivals, Opening Nights and The Best Thai Food in Times Square
by Coutney Kochuba
November 10, 2014

SIDE SHOW Says Goodbye, But At What Cost For Broadway?
by Ben Coleman
January 8, 2015

Videos

  • I Will Never Leave You - 1998 Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    I Will Never Leave You - 1998 Tony Awards

Photos

  • Side Show (1997 Broadway Version)

    Image: 2014 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Side Show (1997 Broadway Version)

    Image: 2014 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Side Show (1997 Broadway Version)

    Image: 2014 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Pop/Rock
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Henry Krieger

Henry Krieger

Henry Krieger began composing for Off-Off-Broadway in his twenties. Soon, collaborations with Tom Eyen and Broadway director/producer/choreographer Michael Bennett led to a workshop production of what was originally entitled Big Dreams. After several workshops, numerous rewri ...

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Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Bill Russell received Tony Award nominations for the book and lyrics of the original Broadway production of Side Show (1997). The critically praised revised version played the La Jolla Playhouse and the Kennedy Center and received an acclaimed Broadway revival in 2014 and a L ...

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