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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. 
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