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By SHERYLIN UNTALAN, GMA Integrated News
Published June 26, 2025 10:13am
Step into the world of freaks, where the misunderstood take center stage, and the strange is nothing short of spectacular.
This July, The Sandbox Collective invites audiences to confront their curiosities and their compassion as it brings the Tony-nominated Broadway gem “Side Show: The Musical” to the Philippine stage.
Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, "Side Show" follows the sisters’ journey from carnival attractions to vaudeville stars in 1930s America. Beneath the circus lights and public fascination lies a deeply human tale of love, longing, and the pursuit of identity.
Full-circle moment
For director Toff De Venecia, "Side Show" is more than a programming decision. It’s his return to his artistic roots.
“This show is special to me,” De Venecia said during a press conference. “It was the first production I ever directed on my own.”
He first staged the musical in 2010 following his co-directorial debut with "All Shook Up," and later helmed Sandbox’s 2023 hit "Little Shop of Horrors." The idea to bring "Side Show" back came unexpectedly during the recent run of "Next to Normal," when a backstage moment reignited his connection to the show.
“It feels like a full-circle moment,” he added.
Beyond the spectacle
Though wrapped in vintage circus flair — complete with eccentric characters and glitzy performances — "Side Show" is ultimately a poignant exploration of what it means to be different in a world obsessed with sameness.
Bound by birth but divergent in dreams, Daisy and Violet confront the pressures of fame, love, and the aching desire for autonomy. “Like everyone else,” they sing — a haunting refrain that cuts through the makeup and the spotlight.
The show doesn’t ask audiences to stare at “freaks.” It dares them to truly see the people beneath the label.
Stellar cast
Alternating as the Hilton twins are Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, and Molly Langley, four formidable performers bringing distinct energy and vocal depth to the demanding dual roles.
Joining them is Jon Santos as The Boss, the manipulative ringmaster, along with two sets of alternating male leads: Reb Atadero and CJ Navato as Terry Connor, and Vien King and Tim Pavino as Buddy Foster. Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas share the role of Jake, the twins’ loyal protector.
A dynamic ensemble rounds out the cast, portraying the carnival’s “curiosities,” characters that add both heart and theatrical wonder to every scene.
Timely, resonant, unmissable
As society continues to navigate the politics of identity and difference, "Side Show" feels more relevant than ever. It shines a light on exploitation, longing, and resilience — themes that echo far beyond the big top.
The musical holds up a mirror to our own forms of modern voyeurism, where social media spectacle often replaces genuine understanding. In this way, Side Show becomes more than historical fiction. It becomes a cultural critique.
Side Show asks: What does it mean to be human in a world that treats you like an oddity?
Performances begin July 26 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater.
Prepare to be amazed, not just by the costumes or choreography. but by the raw humanity at the heart of "Side Show." It's not just a musical. It’s a moving invitation to look beyond appearances and embrace what makes us all uniquely extraordinary.
— LA, GMA Integrated News
