Performance Report II

Side Show the Musical

Introduction

Side Show the Musical is a musical based on a true American story about conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton who achieve a great fame during the 1930’s transitioning from circus actors to stage performers of vaudeville. UTD’s production of Side Show was a work of collaboration among faculty, students, and other affiliates of the School of Arts and Humanities. It was performed six times in the course of two weeks from April 8^th to 17^th at the University Theatre.

Music

Given that this show was a musical, it was obvious that each scene featured a unique, yet sometimes familiar and even repetitive song. Most of the singers sang with a significant amount of vibrato and dynamic elements corresponding to the tone of the scene. The overall timbre and rhythm suggested the music of post-World War America. All kinds of musical instruments including chordophones, membranophones, aerophones, and idiophones were utilized for each scene. There was a distinguishable theme of melody that could be acknowledged for the twins every time “themes of self-acceptance and identity” were presented (program notes). Often the chorus accompanied the leading solo or duet in harmony creating homophonic sound, but when there were just a duet a mixture of polyphonic and heteophonic sound was created.

Performers

The actors themselves were not the only ones performing on stage for this musical. Facing the orchestra was set up on the backside of the stage with two rows of musicians behind each board blocks that only showed the musicians from the shoulder up. The board blocks were painted red and yellow to blend in with the similar colored stage backdrop and curtains, which gave the stage as a whole the feel of a circus show.

The performers thoroughly used props to help establish different settings for each scene. For instance, during the scenes set at the Texas Centennial, there would be a huge banner that read “Texas Centennial” set in the middle of the stage. In particular, the Fat Lady seemed to be in charge of changing the sign that indicated each setting, which was quite helpful for the audience in keeping track of the scenes.

The lighting and visual effect shaped the focal point of the stage environment. For example, whenever there was a solo performer on stage, the spotlight would help focus the attention of the viewers on the soloist. Other lighting effects contributed to the aesthetic appeal of the performance through use of movement and alternating colors.

As for the actors’ physical contribution to the show, each character in corresponding costumes doing choreographed dances and gestures enhanced the show aspect of the drama. Of course, the conjoined twins moved around the stage literally joined at the hip. The singers tended to sing their parts with animated gestures and facial expressions to gain the emotional appeal of the audience.

Audience

The audiences at this show consisted mostly of UTD students, many of whom probably attending for the same performance report assignment. This musical was open not just to the UTD students for free but also to the general public for a ticket fee of $20. Throughout the entire show, most people was courteous and supportive of the performers on stage, especially after each solo or duet highlights by the main characters such as the twins, the boss, Jake, Buddy, and Terry. I could perceive that the performers’ acting, singing, and choreograph had impressed and satisfied the audience as the performers were showered with standing ovation and even some whistles and hollering at the end of the show.

Time and Space

I attended the very last performance of the musical, which took place on Saturday, April 17^th, at 8:00PM. Although this particular evening was rainy and cold, many students came to the show regardless of the inclement condition. The start of the show was a bit delayed to welcome in as many “latecomers” as possible. The people seemed to be having high expectations for the quality and spirit of this particular showing of the musical since it is the last one, which means that the cast and crew must have had plenty of “practices” before this one.

The theatre itself is certainly not the largest venue available for this musical, but the feel of enclosed environment helped provide a close mental and even physical interaction between the performers and the audience. For example, in the “Come Look At The Freaks” scene, the freaks entered onto the stage from the audience entrances, which created an effect of audience involvement in the musical. Also, the boss character’s direct verbal communication toward the audience generated a sense that the audience was part of the show.

Conclusion

Overall, the musical was a cooperative performance of visual, musical, and emotional appeal composited by meticulous teamwork of stage and tech crews, orchestral musicians, and stage performers seeking to take the audience on a journey of self-discovery and tolerance.

Works Cited

Side Show the Musical. By Bill Russell and Henry Krieger. Dir. Kathryn Evans. Cond. Winston Stone. University Theatre, Richardson. 17 April, 2010.

Program notes. Side Show the Musical. 17 April, 2010. Richardson: University Theatre.