You either loved it or hated it.  That is how it seemed when the infamous musical Side Show opened on "The Broadway" in October of 1997.  The least likely of ideas for a Broadway musical, the show is about the famous conjoined twin sisters Daisy and Violet Hilton, was embraced by critics and a core group of rabid fans, but never really took off at the box office and closed after only 91 performances.  The show went on to be nominated for four Tony awards (including Best Actress for stars Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley - the first ever Best Actress "co-nomination" in the history of the Tonys).  Since then there have been several well regarded regional productions and now The Roundabout Theater is producing a workshop...with an eye on a full production (possibly).

Just to be clear, I am in the "loved it" camp.  I saw the original production of Side Show at the Richard Rogers theater.  I remember the experience vividly.  I was captivated by the story, the direction of the piece and, especially, by the performances of the two leading ladies - Skinner and Ripley.  I thought it was such an unusual story for Broadway and really applauded the creators for being daring enough to try to put together such a bold show.  I also really loved the music.  I can recall buying the cassette (cassette!) and listening to it on my walkman as I ran on the treadmill - silently mouthing the words to "I Will Never Leave You" as if I was starring in the show myself.  

But I know others that HATED IT.  They thought it was the dumbest idea for a show and ridiculed it.  Some folks just didn't buy the idea of two Siamese Twins (or conjoined twins), falling in love with two different guys.  People are entitled to their opinions (they are WRONG) but they are entitled to their opinions...just kidding!  The facts are clear, however, that audiences just didn't warm to the notion of a show about singing conjoined twins.  The producers really tried to make a go of it and create an audience; they even went so far as to have the two stars (Skinner and Ripley) pass out flyers and hang out at the TKTS line (the ½ priced ticket source in Times Square).  This is pretty unheard of and caused quite a buzz.  It just didn't really help the show; so it closed, didn't pick up any Tonys and drifted off into the sunset.  But, it has always held a certain allure in the B'way community (and it did make big stars out of Ripley and Skinner who often performed cabaret shows together for the next few years).  

Now the news of the Roundabout Reading has arrived.  The "loved it" camp is partying in the streets and the "hated it" camp is kvetching all over the rialto.  I do think that which ever side you take, it is exciting and interesting news!  Here are the details.

Rehearsals started on Tuesday for an anticipated "industry only" exclusive workshop on June 14th (date not confirmed).  The director for the project will be Bill Condon.  You may recall that Condon is the man who wrote the screenplay for the big screen adaptation of Chicago: The Musical and directed the hit movie musical version of Dreamgirls with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson.  Do you think he is thinking of bringing Side Show to the big screen too?  A boy can dream, can't he?!?!

Word on the street is the Condon, composer Henry Krieger [corrected - thanks molekeeper] and lyricist/book writer Bill Russell have taken a "fresh look" at the show and made a great deal of changes.  They have written new material and shifted the structure of the show.  Old numbers have been cut, apparently, and some new songs have been added.  In a playbill.com article Russell mentioned that the team would be looking at material that didn't make it into the original production.  He indicated that some of his ideas from rewrites have been floating around in his head for years - inspired by seeing some of the regional productions over the years.  I wonder if they will keep the song "One Plus One Equals Three"?

The cast they have assembled is very exciting.  Betsy Wolfe (Ace at The Old Glode) and Erin Davie (Grey Gardens - which I thought she was great in) will step into the roles of Daisy and Violet Hilton, the famous Siamese Twins.  Joining them will be Josh Henry (In the Heights) as Jake, Aaron Lazar (Les Miserables) as Terry, the brilliant Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays (I Am My Own Wife) as Sir, Bobby Steggert (110 in the Shade) as Buddy, Linda Balgord (The Pirate Queen) as Auntie, Terry Burrell (Threepenny Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Fortune Teller, Anderson Davis (Les Miserables) as Ray, Toni DiBuono (Wonderful Town, Forbidden Broadway) as Hottentot, Christy Faber (Les Miserables) as Sally, Daniel C. Levine (Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Bearded Lady, Deven May (Bat Boy) as Houdini, Raymond McLeod (Wonderful Town) as Browning, Julie Reiber (All Shook Up, Brooklyn) as Delores, David Turner (In My Life, The Ritz) as Geek and Andrew Varela (Little Women) as Dr. Weldon.  You might not recognize all of those names, but they are all B'way heavy hitters.  Many of them are known as much for their singing skills as they are for their acting talents.  It looks like an amazing group.  Especially the inclusion of Jefferson Mays who has been giving one stunning performance after the other in a variety of different shows; Journey's End to Pygmalion with Claire Danes.  

I hope the show gets a full production.  I hope.  I hope.  I hope.  I would just die to hear "I Will Never Leave You" on a B'way stage again.  I think I might have to write an "open letter" to The Roundabout.  Maybe not - you all thought I was too creepy with my letter to Leslie Kritzer (and I think you may be right - she may never come back to my café)!  

I will try to get the scoop on the reading.  If anyone has an extra invite to that thing - please call me!  Whatever I find out I will be sure to bring it to you.  Until then, please remember the immortal words of Daisy and Violet Hilton:

I will never leave you
I will never go away
We were meant to share each moment
Beside you is where I will stay
Evermore and always
We'll be one though we're two
For I will never leave you

Note: I have gone too far again - haven't I?  Ugh.  When will I learn.

~ See You On The Aisle