2 minute read
The freaks are in town
‘Sideshow’ is set to open this week
Temi Fajemisin / Roundup
The musical “SideShow” will open Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. and will run until Dec. 12 in the Performing Arts Complex at Pierce College, under the direction of Gene Putnam.
The production focuses on the carnival life of the Hilton sisters, Daisy and Violet who were famous conjoined twins as well as other performers who traveled around the country to perform and earned a living off of carny life.
During the early 19th and 20th century, carny life was fixture in culture as well as a lucrative business for people to get into and during that time, people with disabilities embraced carny life and used circuses as an opportunity to make a successful living.
“People will learn as well as be exposed to carny life and how people used their unusual talents to perform on stage then after be a close knit family as they tour around the country,” said Putnam.
Acts such as the bearded lady, the snake charmer and of coarse the conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton all had successful long careers while doing side shows and people will be able to experience and watch that.
“Although people will be enlightened about carny life, you’ll also be able to enjoy the beautiful music, dance routines and romance that the show will have,” said Putnam.
