Freaks, weirdos and oddities are on center stage at The Sandbox Collective’s “Side Show: The Musical,” which takes audiences to a time when one had to catch a travelling circus to revel in the unusual. 

But beyond the spectacle, it’s a show that raises many questions: Why do we focus on what’s “abnormal” in others? Why is it difficult to accept those we deem different? And, when we find ourselves part of the “unusual,” how can we muster the courage to love and accept ourselves for who we are?

“Side Show: The Musical” is a fictional story of the real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who became vaudeville stars in America. The Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Makati City transports one to a 1930s circus tent, with the traverse stage setup providing a great view of the performance area no matter where one sits. In lieu of popcorn, one can order a cocktail in the lobby to enjoy inside the theater.

This restaging is The Sandbox Collective’s take on the original 1997 version, which, as director Toff de Venecia, the company’s managing artistic director, explains, is more a musical allegory that explores social issues and advocacies than the twins’ biography.

Marginalization is, naturally, the most compelling issue. Violet and Daisy Hilton—alternately played by the powerhouse pairs Tanya Manalang and Marynor Mademesila and Krystal Kane and Molly Langley—are made a spectacle by The Boss, the cruel show runner played by the legendary Jon Santos. Daisy and Violet find a family among kindred souls: their fellow circus freaks, played by an equally powerful ensemble including 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 Boss, happy to make a buck off of his freaks’ performances, controls their lives by working them to the bone in exchange for food and shelter. The twins eventually find an exit from their demeaned life at the circus when they catch the eye of musician Buddy Foster (alternately played by Vien King and Tim Pavino) and press agent Terry Connor (alternately played by Reb Atadero and CJ Navato). They are joined by Jake, their dear friend from the side show who serves as their fierce protector (theater mainstays Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas alternating).

In the course of the almost entirely sung-through, two-and-a-half-hour production (musical direction by Ejay Yatco), Daisy and Violet share how they simply “want what everyone else wants,” and long for someone “who will love me as I am.” For Daisy, the ultimate goal is fame; for Violet, love and a family of her own. They both seem to reach these goals, but life still proves difficult given their condition and society’s pitiless gaze.

In the end, the story highlights how, in a world that will continue to gawk at their oddity, the twins realize that they have to stop looking to others for love and strength, and that they need only to love themselves to be truly happy.

With beautiful songs brought to life by the cast’s heartfelt performances, The Sandbox Collective’s “Side Show: The Musical” is a captivating production that again showcases world-class Filipino theater talent. The interactive portions are an added magical touch. At the start, one is given a glimpse of the backstage, so to speak: Cast members come out dressed, not in their costumes, but in plain black, and approach the viewers in their seats for a quick handshake, hi, thank you, enjoy the show. The meet-and-greet allows one to appreciate their eventual transformation into their characters.

Then, during intermission, the cast’s costumes are put on display, center stage, and viewers are invited to “come look at the freaks” for 15 minutes, to read the characters’ descriptions, and what each stands for.

And that striking montage at the beginning of the show displaying the latest news videos of global conflict, the sound bites of leaders spewing intolerance, and other clips of social issues that continue to plague society? It’s enough to make viewers understand how much everyone today still stands to learn from the story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, and all whom society has seen as freaks throughout history.

“Side Show: The Musical” runs until Aug. 17 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.