‘Side Show’ by The Sandbox Collective Gives the Marginalized Center Stage
Opening July 26 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, The Sandbox Collective is set to stage its version of the original 1997 Broadway production of Side Show, which features a different script from the 2018 Manila staging by Atlantis Productions that was based on the 2014 Broadway revival. This will be the first professional staging of the original version in the Philippines.
Nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1998, Side Show is a musical by Bill Russell (book and lyrics) and Henry Krieger (music) that tells the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who journey from a sideshow attraction to the bright lights of vaudeville.
Why the 1997 Version?
“This is my favorite version of the show,” says director Toff de Venecia, The Sandbox Collective’s managing artistic director. “It’s the one I grew up with. It’s also the version I got to direct for blueREP back in 2010.”
De Venecia explains that the original script offered a more allegorical and politically nuanced take on the story. “It’s grayer. It’s more political. And it’s something we could really sink our teeth into.”
He felt the original text aligned with Sandbox’s brand of advocacy-driven work. “We like to platform advocacies and we wanna talk about social issues, and I think this was the perfect version of the show to be able to do just that.”
Giving Voice to the Voiceless
For De Venecia and the Sandbox team, Side Show is ultimately about giving voice to those who are often unseen.
“When we were studying the material, it was always clear to us that this was a show about freaks,” he says. “And if you really dig deep, ano ba ang freak? A freak is an ‘other.’ So if you start looking into the politics of the other, it’s really the marginalized, the underrepresented, the voiceless, the oppressed.”
This message resonated deeply with the cast and creative team. “There’s a lot of advocacy, passion, and belief system that they’re each bringing into this production, so I’m very excited to be able to flesh that out with them,” De Venecia adds.
The staging also promises a contemporary feel, featuring an alley-style setup with seating on both sides of the stage. “I don’t want to say it’s immersive, but it’s very experiential,” De Venecia teases. “It’s almost like you’re there with them. It’s like giving Himala vibes in a way.”
Becoming Sisters, Onstage and Off
Two alternating casts will bring Daisy and Violet Hilton to life: Tanya Manalang-Atadero (Violet) with Marynor Madamesila (Daisy), and Molly Langley (Violet) with Krystal Kane (Daisy).
For Manalang-Atadero, the experience has been deeply meaningful. “This is definitely new to me. I do not have siblings, so that’s already a big thing,” she shares. “It’s made me a more generous and considerate co-actor, because every time I make a choice, I have to consider [Marynor], which makes it more special.”
“For the first time in my life, I’m starting to know what it feels like to have a biological sister, because it really feels that way,” she adds.
Kane, who also doesn’t have a real-life sister, reflects on how crucial chemistry is in a role like this—especially since she and Langley didn’t know each other before the audition. During the process, they were asked to sing Who Will Love Me as I Am? together. Director Toff de Venecia instructed them to whisper three personal things to each other beforehand. Then, standing at opposite ends of the room, they faced one another and sang.
“Do you know how you just feel like you’re connected to someone?” says Kane. “I felt that way when I was singing with Molly, and I knew that if we got the roles, I would really be able to do this with her.” She shares that they’ve been building that bond ever since.
Other ‘Freaks’
Also alternating in key roles are Reb Atadero and CJ Navato as Terry Connor, Daisy’s love interest, and Tim Pavino and Vien King as Buddy Foster, Violet’s love interest. Both Pavino and King previously appeared in the Atlantis Theatrical version in 2018, portraying Houdini and Half-Man Half-Woman respectively.
“This version dives a little deeper,” says Pavino. “The script is so juicy. And there are songs that you didn’t get to hear in the 2018 version which are in this version.”
King adds, “The 1997 version is more complex. It has a strong message that I think will really give people something to think about.”
Jon Santos plays the role of Boss, while Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas alternate in the role of Jake.
The ensemble portraying the “freaks” includes Arion Sanchez, Chan Rabutazo, Fay Castro, Daniel Wesley, Ian Hermogenes, Mikee Baskiñas, Pamela Imperial, Pappel, Raflesia Bravo, Red Nuestro, Reine Paisley, and Rhap Salazar.
The show is directed by Toff de Venecia, with Ejay Yatco as musical director. Rounding out the artistic team are Mark Dalacat (assistant director and set designer), Carlos Siongco (costume designer), Gabo Tolentino (lighting designer), JM Cabling (choreographer), and Colin Dancel (photographer).
Side Show runs from July 26 to August 16, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati. Tickets are priced at ₱2,900 (VIP), ₱2,700 (Premium), and ₱2,500 (Regular), and are available via Ticket2Me.
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