#1
Posted: 11/18/13 at 8:59pm
Variety just posted a very positive review of the West Coast production. I can't seem to link it for some reason but I'm sure someone will soon.
#2
Posted: 11/18/13 at 9:05pm
Bill Condon has reworked “Side Show,” the 1997 tuner succes d’estime — translation, floppo with cult status — into a handsome production that will follow its bow at the La Jolla Playhouse with a Kennedy Center run in the summer. Redux firms up the backstory of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and provides a fitting showcase for one of the 1990s’ greatly underappreciated scores. If the spectacle doesn’t quite take flight, for reasons old and new, unquestionably it dazzles...
http://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/regional-legit-review-side-show-directed-by-bill-condon-1200850911/
http://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/regional-legit-review-side-show-directed-by-bill-condon-1200850911/
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#3
Posted: 11/19/13 at 12:49am
I don't get that review, especially this part:
"Still, there’s a thematic emptiness at the heart of “Side Show.” Daisy and Violet are portrayed as worthwhile individuals no different from anyone"
How are Daisy and Violet supposed to be portrayed? They are conjoined twins. There is no happy ending here. And that's the heart of the show. It's not "thematic emptiness," it's actually what happened. Which makes for dramatic tension. And, IMO, a damned good musical.
"Still, there’s a thematic emptiness at the heart of “Side Show.” Daisy and Violet are portrayed as worthwhile individuals no different from anyone"
How are Daisy and Violet supposed to be portrayed? They are conjoined twins. There is no happy ending here. And that's the heart of the show. It's not "thematic emptiness," it's actually what happened. Which makes for dramatic tension. And, IMO, a damned good musical.
#4
Posted: 11/19/13 at 2:06pm
Good if tempered review...
"Side Show" probably isn't fated to be a blockbuster any more than Daisy and Violet were meant to be mainstream superstars, but the musical deserves a longer life. This production left me feeling haunted, and not simply over its unrealized potential. This tender freak show will break your heart
LA Times Review of Side Show revival
"Side Show" probably isn't fated to be a blockbuster any more than Daisy and Violet were meant to be mainstream superstars, but the musical deserves a longer life. This production left me feeling haunted, and not simply over its unrealized potential. This tender freak show will break your heart
LA Times Review of Side Show revival
Up In One
Updated On: 11/19/13 at 02:06 PM
#5
Posted: 11/19/13 at 2:13pm
Stylish 'Side Show' sidesteps depth
Reconceived musical has strong songs, standout performances but goes light on grit
U T SanDiego Side Show review
Reconceived musical has strong songs, standout performances but goes light on grit
U T SanDiego Side Show review
Up In One
#6
Posted: 11/19/13 at 2:16pm
Loved LA Times saying "This production left me feeling haunted...This tender freak show will break your heart."
I really loved Side Show and am SO glad I got to see it!
Still love listening to Ripley and Skinner...plus Norm Lewis and Hugh Panaro!
I really loved Side Show and am SO glad I got to see it!
Still love listening to Ripley and Skinner...plus Norm Lewis and Hugh Panaro!
#7
Posted: 11/19/13 at 4:00pm
I don't get that review, especially this part:
"Still, there’s a thematic emptiness at the heart of “Side Show.” Daisy and Violet are portrayed as worthwhile individuals no different from anyone"
I think they are saying that, since they are portrayed by beautiful girls simply standing side by side, they are already like everyone else except with a stronger gravitational pull to one another. I'm sure the original faced the same problem since neither is actually version is actually joining the actors by costume.
"Still, there’s a thematic emptiness at the heart of “Side Show.” Daisy and Violet are portrayed as worthwhile individuals no different from anyone"
I think they are saying that, since they are portrayed by beautiful girls simply standing side by side, they are already like everyone else except with a stronger gravitational pull to one another. I'm sure the original faced the same problem since neither is actually version is actually joining the actors by costume.
#8
Posted: 11/20/13 at 12:09pm
Variety: For all their leering prurience, cable side shows are messy and real in a way “Side Show,” in both 1.0 and 2.0 incarnations, pointedly sidles away from becoming.
Very positive? Matt Rogers you need to be a Spin Dr.
Very positive? Matt Rogers you need to be a Spin Dr.
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