subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Mar 17 2010 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published July 27, 2007 07:23 am - ASHTABULA - - Taking a page from real life carnival side show freak shows, the ongoing Straw Hat Theatre production of "Side Show," in it's final weekend, promises a plot full of surprising twists and turns.
The cast, most notably real ...


'Side Show' really the main attraction


Star Beacon

By BRUCE G. RICHARDSON

ASHTABULA - - Taking a page from real life carnival side show freak shows, the ongoing Straw Hat Theatre production of "Side Show," in it's final weekend, promises a plot full of surprising twists and turns.

The cast, most notably real life Painesville twin leads Lee and Rose Emrich (as conjoined Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton), Robert Pierce (as Orpheum Circuit vaudeville talent scout Terry Connor), Nick Meloro (as aspiring vaudevillian Buddy Foster), Douglas Eric Anderson (as the mean, drunken carnival "Boss") and Nick Boyd (as Jake, the carnival "Cannibal King") all turned in impressive, engaging and intensely emotional acting and vocal performances.

The Emrich sisters, veteran Ashtabula Arts Center performers, turned in a strong twin bill performance, well-matched in their beautifully-blended vocals, acting talent, and flawless stage conjoining as Siamese twins.

Written by Bill Russell with music by Henry Krieger, the original stage production of the critically-acclaimed "Side Show" was nominated for four 1998 Tony awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Music Score and Best Actress in a Musical after it sat up tent in New York's famed Broadway theatre district for a short 91-show run at the Richard Rogers Theater between October 1997 and January 1998. Since it's debut, the admittedly dark, vaguely disturbing "Side Show" has gained a small but loyal "cult" following, staged in numerous successful local and regional stage productions.

The local Ashtabula Arts Center production is directed by Conneaut resident Stephen Rhodes, a retired 35-year Conneaut High School drama teacher and theater director. No stranger to the arts center, Rhodes was a member of the charter 1977 G.B. Community Theater company and has directed a number of well-regarded G.B. Community Theater and Straw Hat Theatre productions over the years, including recent productions of "Little Shop of Horrors," "The Secret Garden" and "Over the Tavern."

Set amid the diverse worlds of the gritty carnival "Side Show" freak shows and the splendor of the nation's famed Great Depression, "Vaudeville" variety act stage era, "Side Show" loosely follows the moving true-life story of British-born Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton (1908-69) as they leave behind the abusive world of the carnival and discover an amazing new world of widely acclaimed vaudeville and motion picture fame and unexpected, star-crossed encounters with love. Along the way, the twins learn to balance their two radically different personalities and inner lives into one.

Straw Hat Theatre's "Side Show" cast members also include Melissa Almassi, Christine Banks, Hannah Beaumont, Megan Case, Nick Cusano, Larry Gasch, Colleen Juhasz, Johnny Luoma, Zac Markley, Fred Robsel, Sara Ruane and Martha Sorohan.

This able corps of singer-actors provides an effective supportive stage presence in a variety of 'Side Show" roles including appearances as the Side Show company, newspaper reporters, vaudevillians, a Follies company, party guests, radio show singers and hawkers.

Musical accompaniment, ably provided by pianist/musical director Joy Leirer, synthesizer musician Ian LeRoy, and percussionist Ben Gage, provided the perfect accompaniment, complimenting the strong vocal performances by the "Side Show" cast.

Kudos are also in store for Clover Robinson, who put together the show's creative, delightful choreography, and to scenic artist Mike Wheeler and set construction crew members Michael Smith and Paul Shellhammer for their creative and effective minimalist set design. A particular visual delight was the set and lighting treatment in the eye-candy "Tunnel of Love" scene.

Tickets for the Straw Hat Theater production of "Side Show," staged indoors on the G.B. Community Theater stage, can be purchased at the box office, 2928 W. 13th St., or by calling 964-3396 for advance ticket reservations. The two remaining shows, today and Saturday, start at 8 p.m. Patron seating is $12, adults $10, seniors $9, and students/children $8.

The final Straw Hat Theater production of the Ashtabula Arts Center's summer 2007 live theater season, director Josh Twining's production of "Moby Dick: The Musical," will take to the stage on Aug. 3-5, 10-12, and 16-18.

Star Beacon Print Edition: 7/27/2007

Click here to order our 7/27/2007 Archive edition.



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

PREMIUM JOBS

RECEPTIONIST

Madison Healthcare is currently seeking an experienced Receptionist. The ideal candidate will possess previous LTC
...>MORE

STNA CLASS
Are you looking for
a change??
How about a state
tested nursing job?

Rae-Ann Geneva is offer
...>MORE

RN's

Come join our team! Madison Healthcare is currently seeking experienced RN’s. All interested candidates please com
...>MORE

Cooks & Servers
Experienced Cooks & Servers
Apply at Edgewood Diners I & II
...>MORE

PART TIME POSITIONS
Now hiring for housekeeping, front desk auditor, maintenance. Send resume to PO Box 202, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005...>MORE

Part Time Positions
Prepping food/cooking Mon.-Fri. Apply in person Guyreino's Deli 1033 Lake Ave....>MORE

HOME VISITOR
Applications are being accepted for positions in the Early Head Start Home Visiting Program for pregnant women & childre...>MORE

VILLA AT THE LAKE
A Drug Free Facility
Is seeking
Experienced
Care Givers
For part time positions
On 2nd and
...>MORE

CAREGIVERS ALL SHIFTS
Assisted living facility seeking
flexible hardworking committed growth oriented
CAREGIVERS
FOR ALL SHIF
...>MORE

F/T DIRECT CARE

MRDD facility accepting appl’s for 2nd shift. Competitive benefits, valid Ohio Drivers License, background check,
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM AUTOS

2003 PARK MODEL 2BR
2BR fully loaded. Free Camping for 2010 Season with Purchase $24,500.
440-228-7977
...>MORE

1996 Ford 250
390 cubic inch, auto Florida truck, runs and drives great.  $3000 OBO  440-969-4090...>MORE

2002 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT
6cyl., automatic, mint condition Never seen winters. $11,995 obo. Call for details (440)599-7020...>MORE

2002 Four Wheeler
2002 TRX 400 EX Hardly ridden runs great hot cam & jet kit $2100 obo. (440)998-5098...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM HOMES

Mobile Home for Sale
2BR $1500 Needs Little Touch up
Nice Community
Buckeye School District
Oakwood Mobile Home Park
4
...>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY 1-5PM
3BR 2.5BA Ranch Andover w/ full bsmt. Big country kitchen with island, pantry, family room, L shaped l
...>MORE

LOT FOR SALE
12.73 Wooded Acres on Beautiful Setting. Green Road, Kingsville Township. Area of fine homes. Overlooks a small creek an...>MORE

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE
Whispering Willow 2BR & 3BR homes for sale starting at $7,900.
Financing available. 440-466-6403
...>MORE

ASHTABULA EAST SIDE RANCH
Ashtabula
Eastside Ranch
2BR/1BA Full Basement,
2 Car Detached Garage.
Handicap accessible $74,90
...>MORE

LAND FOR SALE!
45 acres gas well and royalties.
Nice location near Lake Erie, $125,000 obo. 440-812-7374
...>MORE

Duplex for Sale
REDUCED!
4316 West Ave. Duplex,
Ashtabula, Ohio
Excellent condition.
Gross rents $825/mo -Fully rent
...>MORE

BY OWNER
South Carolina; 3BR, 2BA, swimming pool, hot tub w/car port over it, 2 story sheds, all elect. new heat pump & AC, $110,...>MORE

RENT TO OWN MOBILE HOME
Ash. very large 3BA 2BA, all elect. all appls. credit problems ok,
only $250/mo. 440-673-1818
...>MORE

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE
3BR 1BA Mobile Home in Ashtabula, great condition $3500 obo. (814)922-3641...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM EXTRAS

WANTED TO BUY!
Paying $250 & up for Junk
Vehicles. 440-812-0716/812-2242
...>MORE

ALWAYS BUYING FOR CASH
Vintage Barbies & Whole Doll Collections, Sterling Silver, Coins, Paper Money (Especially Confederate), Antique Costume ...>MORE

Wanted to Buy
Buying Wrecked & Junk Vehicles
Call (440)998-7070
...>MORE


Paying $250 & up for Junk
Vehicles. 440-812-0716/812-2242
...>MORE

Business Opportunities
REDUCED!
4316 West Ave. Duplex,
Ashtabula, Ohio
Excellent condition.
Gross rents $825/mo -Fully rent
...>MORE

BOAT DOCKAGE AVAILABLE
For 2010 Summer Season at Geneva State Park Marina. No rivers, no bridges, beautiful setting. 440-466-7565...>MORE

Call a Professional! - Home Improvement
* Any Job - Big or Small *
GC Remodeling
Free Estimates
25+ years experience
Quality Work!
Gen
...>MORE

Wanted - Hunting Land to Rent!
Wanted Hunting Land to Rent. Small group of ethical, respectful hunters are looking and willing to pay. Prefer Geauga, n...>MORE


Whirlpool Gold refrig., freezer on bottom and Frigidaire stove, flat top s3yrs old, like new $600 for both; Cable Consol...>MORE

VOLKSWAGON
2002 VW Passat GLS wagon, 98,000 miles, front side air bags, 1.8 turbo, no rust, $5800 obo. (440)992-7904...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM RENTALS

GREAT FOR SHORT TIME STAYS
1 & 2 BR fully furnished apts.
All utilities incl. 440-466-5444
...>MORE

MOBILE HOME FOR RENT
1973 Barrington 14x60 two bdrm mobile home in quiet park $750. Rent to Own Avail 440-466-7885 ...>MORE

House for Rent in Ashtabula
3BR, Ash, Cute, clean,
$650/mo+ sec.+util.
440-993-1217
...>MORE

Lease with Option to Buy
3BR house Fox Dr. Lease w/opt to buy,
4BR Hiawatha,
(440)997-7028
...>MORE

Apartment for Rent
2 bdrm apt.for rent - QUIET park setting- no dogs & ALL
utilities included! Large rooms! $550.00 (440)466-7885
...>MORE

House for Rent
Geneva 2BR, carpet, paint. Wtr/ swr/trsh inc. $550. 440-974-8747...>MORE

RENT-TO-OWN
3-4BR/2ba, fully rehabbed, Harbor. 440-343-6381...>MORE

EFFICIENCIES
Ash Eastside efficiency all utils/ cable $139/wk $525/mo. 812-0047...>MORE

1BR Ash:
Spectacular, completely remod, all appl incl W/D, new everything. Compl. HEAT/wtr/swr/ trash/lawn, Secure area. Must see...>MORE

HOUSE FOR RENT
Five bdrm house LARGE bungalow FOR RENT! Quiet park setting $750/MONTH plus Utilities 440-466-7885....>MORE

See all ads



 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index