In the fall of 1997, Broadway audiences were treated to a show about circus freaks that included a set of twins that were conjoined. The show written by Bill Russell and Henry Krieger was based on real life sisters Daisy and Violet Hilton who eventually went on to become famous vaudevillian stage performers. Now San Diegans will get that same treat with the show Side Show which has started a limited run at The La Jolla Playhouse.
Side Show was nominated for four Tony Awards, including an unprecedented best actress nomination for both of it’s leading ladies, and has gone on to be produced in many regional theaters giving it a somewhat cult following. The question is why is it being re-worked?
“The original production was not a commercial success, but it certainly moved many people who saw it,” Russell said. “And when the original cast recording was released toward the end of the run a lot of people discovered the show and still continue to. When Henry Krieger and I got involved with Bill Condon on the project – which was in 2007, it really wasn’t even a question of not re-thinking the show. We never shy away from re-working a piece. New director (who also is a brilliant writer himself), 10 years distance from the original – it just seemed, ‘Why not?’”
After 16 years, Russell who wrote the book and lyrics and new director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) have reworked the show adding new characters (Houdini and Texas lawyer Martin Arnold) hoping to have their revised show land back on Broadway.
Russell admits that his initial attraction to the Hilton twins was the fact that they were both so multi-talented.
“The Hilton sisters sang, danced and played musical instruments,” Russell said. “I immediately thought they’d be great subject matter for a musical. And the idea of two performers singing and moving together seemed inherently theatrical to me. I partly felt that because at the time (the mid-’80s) there was a pair of guys who were often seen in downtown clubs in New York City (which I was known to frequent). They would go around like they were joined at the hip. The first time I saw them they were in ersatz Heidi drag – pigtails, lederhosen. And they would do these dance routines together. That image was in my mind so when I was pitched the idea of writing about the Hiltons I was instantly excited.”
The Hilton sisters were a famous pair long before the show hit Broadway in 1997. Back then two relatively unknown actresses, Emily Skinner (The Full Monty) and Alice Ripley (Next to Normal) brought them back to life and have both gone on to their own individual fame. Stepping into those four shoes now are Emily Padgett and Erin Davie. Russell confided that casting the twins is definitely not an easy task.
“Casting the twins is always a challenge,” Russell said. “Both roles are huge. They have to be fierce singers. They have to move well and be strong actors. And we saw many amazing women when casting this. But perhaps, most importantly, they have to match each other – physically and vocally. And that limits certain options. We saw several women who were amazing on their own but we couldn’t match them well. I could not be happier with Emily Padgett and Erin Davie! Each is a brilliant performer in her own right and together they are a force of nature.”
Padgett (Legally Blonde) is more of an unknown compared to her counterpart Erin Davie (Grey Gardens), having only appeared on Broadway a handful of times, she explained that it was a challenge working with another actor so closely.
“I have never worked this close to anyone before,” Padgett said. “It’s very different. Everything is a compromise. Everyone has their ‘process’ so it’s important that you allow them to do their own thing even if it isn’t the way you would. Erin is really easy to work with. I probably sling her around! But it makes you close to that person. I have Erin’s back and I know she has mine.”
Padgett also confided that she stepped into the role only knowing a little bit about the original production that led her (and Davie) to do some background work to flesh out her part as one of the Hilton sisters.
“I read everything I could find on the Internet,” Padgett said. “Erin and I had this awesome opportunity to meet with the grandson of one of the twins’ dance partners. He had amazing photos and stories about the girls. So informative!”
Davie, the more seasoned Broadway veteran, knew the original production and realized just how important the chemistry is for these two roles.
“Chemistry is important,” Davie said. “[Emily and I] did not know each other. We met for the first time at the final audition. At that audition they had us sing together and we found out we got the job in the spring [and] we got together one night to get to know each other before rehearsals started.”
Davie, also new to the experience of sharing the stage with someone so closely, agrees with Padgett on what that is like for them.
“I can’t imagine another situation like this one,” Davie confided. “It’s actually very comforting having someone there the whole time. Like someone has your back. Literally.”
When asked what they would like for audiences to take away with them, Russell, Padgett and Davie each had something quite different to say.
“This show is special in so many ways,” Davie said. “Through the course of the show nearly every character bares their soul – really exposes themselves without fear. My hope is that this theme will resonate with our audiences. Be true to yourself and you shouldn’t have to change yourself for anyone!”
Padgett in some ways echoes Davie’s sentiment, stating, “We are all more similar than we are different.”
And while Russell agrees with Davie and Padgett for the most part it is his background with the show that sets his response apart from the rest.
“This version of the show is significantly different from the original,” Russell said. “I do feel the essence is the same. I directed the original version in the Twin Cities in 2002 and was told about a talkback after a student matinee. One of the cast members who was participating asked the audience, ‘What do you think the message of the show is?’ And a young man answered, ‘That it’s OK to be different. No, it’s better!’ I don’t like to ascribe meanings or messages to what I write, to limit what people take away, but I wouldn’t be unhappy with anyone coming away from the show with that.”
Side Show runs at the La Jolla Playhouse through Dec. 15. For tickets or more information call the Playhouse box office 858-550-1010, or go to their Web site at www.lajollaplayhouse.org/side-show
