Side Show- Page 2

[ShineOn]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 12:50pm

She *has* had vocal problems in the past (during Side Show...) and I think she's just very cautious about that. She misses performances in just about everything she does. I think she just doesn't want to strain her voice too much. And other personal things factor in there... (hey, life is life... we all have things that come up) but, by no means is Emily a diva (well, in the negative connotation) of any sort. She's completely down to earth and humble. She's doesn't miss because she thinks she's too good. I doubt that's Audra's story either, though I don't know Audra... I have no idea what's up with her absences... I don't know about Laura either. I hear she's always really sick when she misses... she may be one of those, "I only want to give my best performance!" if she's that 'sick' that often. Like I said, don't know her at all, I don't know what her deal is. Nor do I think it's any of my business to judge (I'm not accusing you of judging... I know you're just curious, that's fine).

In Side Show, Emily burst a blood vessel in her throat... she was out a lot because of that. Like I said, since then she's gotten the worst rep... but I know, like closing week of Albertine, she was resting her throat because they had to record the CD that week and I guess it was giving her problems. Belting isn't the healthiest of activities and when you've had throat problems in the past, it's always smart to be careful.

Posted: 12/3/03 at 1:01pm

Daisy~ Where is it written in the show that he is black? I have seen the show countless times and it has never been in the shows I have seen. And a production I saw of it recently had a caucation actor. It could be just as powerful and intense for her to not want to be involved with him due to the part he is in the "freak show." Just an observation.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 1:05pm

Daisy: The blood vessel issue is clearly reason enough to be out.

And not mentioned here is the degree to which the operatic world accommodates these same issues. A whole different "ethic," no?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 1:06pm

I think it does say he's African which wouldn't insist he be black but I'm sure it was the writers' intent. I think 'You Should Be Loved' would lose a lot if it was a caucasian actor ('If I can see past your affliction, why can't you see past mine ...') It's an attempt at putting some meatier race relations and social commentary into the piece. It could be done with a caucasian, sure, but I think it would undercut the character a bit.

[DavidMegg]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 1:35pm

My thought is Jake can be any race that is not Violet's and it would work fine.
The writers made a choice to make him african-american. But I think that altering that wouldn't change the story/intetion/etc.
-david.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 3:32pm

You put Alice in Christmas pajamas! That is so funny!!!!!!!! I want a Christmas-y icon!!! I'm going to work on that.


Hmm... I think it makes more sense if he's black being the Cannibal King... it's just got an African feel to the role, but I guess it could work with another race... but he really can't be the same race as Violet and Daisy or it loses a whole element to the plot. And his big solo really doesn't make ANY sense.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 7:56pm

Hate to say it but I am the one who started that thread at ALL that Chat. I was unaware it would cause a huge controversy, though I should probably have known. I just picked up the CD over the holiday weekend and loved it and wanted to know why it closed so fast.

I am a sucker for emotional songs/belting. I have to say some people found the lyrics horrendous, but as a person who has often had some of the same feelings the twins had, it appealed to me.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 7:59pm

Hooray, I better be getting it for Christmas!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 8:25pm

Chenowethfan: thanks for owning your thought-provoking position at ATC.

I've often wondered what people would say about SS, had they not seen it in the theater. As I've posted here, I was very taken with the show on stage -- to me, its strength is its great simplicity. The characters wear their hearts on their sleeves, voice longings and fears with urgency and vulnerability. The show was ambitious -- in its use of recitative, etc. -- but at its core, in those "power ballad" moments, too -- there was a universal experience. It reminded me (and Vincent Canby!) of MOST HAPPY FELLA, or another show of a bygone era, in its desire to express human needs in very accessible, visceral terms. To some, that made it shameless, too obvious, or soap opera, or even kitch. It's a love story, about an emotional connection, not the obvious physical one.

[AugustBurns2]

Posted: 12/3/03 at 8:48pm

I understand what Daisy has said, but it's like that Designing Women episode about racism and wearing blackface.

Like I mentioned before, I saw a Teen/Children's production of Side Show. A white actor played Jake. Before the show, the director brought out the young women playing the sisters and explained that they will be playing conjoined twins. Then he introduced the actor who would be playing Jake, "an African-American." It was an amazing experience, nevertheless. I saw it 3 times!

Before that production, I saw a regional theater's outstanding performance with the expected casting.

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 3:40am

I did hear of a production of Side Show in which Jake was not black -- but white and overweight.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 2:31pm

I saw Sideshow and cried 3 times during the show. I think the show was marketed wrong. Instead of the relationship and the music, they focused on the actual "freaks of the sideshow" componant. I must say that when a friend demanded I go see it with him, I was extremely hesitant because I had NO DESIRE to go see sideshow freaks sing. When I left the show, I told everyone and anyone to GO SEE it. The cd alone is a performance and definitely a MUST BUY if you do not own it.