Synopsis
Based on the true story of conjoined twins and famed entertainers Violet and Daisy Hilton, Side Show is a remarkable musical about acceptance, love, and embracing one’s uniqueness. As the starring act of a sideshow helmed by an abusive ringmaster, Sir, Violet and Daisy Hilton are eager to accept an offer of fame, fortune, and potential romance proffered by Terry Connor, a talent scout, and Buddy foster, a budding musician. As stars on the Orpheum Circuit, it seems that Violet and Daisy have everything they ever wanted. The one thing they lack, however, is the fulfillment of their hearts’ desires. Different as they are, when it comes to matters of the heart, Daisy and Violet have the same burning questions: “Who could proudly stand beside me? Who will love me as I am?”
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 Violet and Daisy's progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit, and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks. Side Show features soulful music, stunningly beautiful lyrics, and powerhouse show-stoppers, particularly the famous duets “Who Will Love Me as I Am” and “I Will Never Leave You.” A stunning reminder of the importance of accepting and celebrating what makes us unique, Side Show is a true story that teaches audiences that the very thing that makes you different, makes you extraordinary!
Read Director, Christopher Teipner's full interview HERE
Read Daisy and Violet, Marissa Noe and Erica Kerstetter's full interview HERE
Welcome to Ashland productions and their 25th Season.
As Ashland launches their 25th season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on how Ashland has impacted me. Or – the impact Ashland has had on me.
I first did The Wizard of Oz as an actor back in the early 2000s. I then acted in a couple more productions before I first directed for them. From those early days, Ashland has always felt like home. The welcome, mentorship, support, and risk taking I have been able to do have not only made me a better artist in the theater, but truly a happier person in my life.
I wish to take a moment to thank Rob Sutherland, Ashland’s Artistic Director, for guiding, supporting, and challenging me over the years. Additionally, Ashland would not be the same without the original enthusiasm and pure joy for life that Frank Ashenbrenner taught me and brought to this company.
So why the long back story? Well, this is where I started with Side Show. The fact that Ashland teaches us to embrace everyone and never judge or dismiss anyone - this is the true meaning behind our production of Side Show.
As an artistic staff and cast, we have discussed the injustices that Daisy and Violet Hilton were subjected to. It was a time when people looked at anyone who was different as an object to be ridiculed or used by others. At this time in history, there were also race issues, homophobia, and the ability to use a person without their consent, even more prevalent than what we still see today.
These are not the brightest or easiest moments in American history to reflect on, but I believe that they need to be shared and taught so we, as the future of America, can move on and strive to live a better life. Daisy and Violet’s story can impact all of us, and even though we might all take something different away from it, hopefully we will strive to never let those things happen to anyone we know.
I am very grateful for Aaron, Jen, Skuta, Connie, and TJ, for taking this journey with me.
I wish to thank Rob, the Ashland staff, the Ashland Board of Directors, , this amazingly talented cast’s family and support, our incredibly creative team of designers and technicians, all of our tech and backstage crew, this giving and hard working cast, and most importantly: You, the audience, for supporting live theater and Ashland Productions!!!
Thank you,
Christopher Teipner, Director