New production of 'Side Show' in Columbus

A new production of the 1997 play Side Show will run March 3 through March 18, 2018 at the Gallery Players in Columbus, Ohio. The play is about real-life conjoined twines Violet and Daisy Hilton and features Houdini. (Afraid I don't know who the actor is playing Houdini.)

A regional premiere, Side Show is based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became stars during the Depression. It is a moving portrait of two women literally joined at the hip, whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. 

The show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and ultimately to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks. With a completely reworked plot and new songs, the 2014 revival version delves deeper into the backstory of the Hilton twins. As the twins’ forge a relationship with Harry Houdini and face potential separation surgery, the book and lyrics by Bill Russell fleshes out characters and situations that endow Henry Krieger’s music with more sophistication and truth. 

Side Show shines a spotlight on marginalized members of society, taking center stage in their own lives and dealing with mainstream emotions of love, success, suffering – and finally – acceptance.

Visit the Gallery Players website for showtimes and to purchase tickets.

Photo Credit: Jerri Shafer, Broadway World.

Related:

• Side Show at the Porchlight in Chicago
• 'Bound By Flesh' streaming on Netflix

Side Show at the Porchlight in Chicago

Colin Funk plays Houdini in a revival of the 1997 musical about conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, Side Show, now playing at the Porchlight Music Theater in Chicago. Houdini's role isn't a large one -- Funk also doubles as The Dog Boy -- although he does appear in at least one musical number, "Come See a New Land." Below is a photo of Funk's Houdini with Colleen Fee and Brit-Marie Sivertsen who play the Hilton sisters.

Tony Award-nominated for both "Best Score" and "Book of a Musical," Side Show is based on the true-life stories of the legendary Hilton twins, Daisy and Violet, and their search for love and acceptance amidst the spectacle of fame and scrutiny under the spotlight of public opinion. Set against the backdrop of 1920s and '30s show business, Side Show seamlessly blends the worlds of carnival, vaudeville and Hollywood glamour in a haunting and sympathetic story of extraordinary humanity.

The real Houdini was friends with the Hilton sisters and gave them advice during their Vaudeville days. A post on the Torchlight's PMT Blog states:

In reality, as in Side Show, Houdini did meet Daisy and Violet Hilton. The sisters credited Houdini with teaching them to find individual privacy; the story goes that Houdini put the pair under hypnosis, teaching them how to "get rid of each other," in their words. The twins’ discuss Houdini fondly both in interviews and in their autobiography.

Side Show opened September 11 and is now extended through October 25. Click for times and tickets.

Related:

• 'Bound By Flesh' streaming on Netflix

'Bound By Flesh' streaming on Netflix

Bound By Flesh, the 2012 documentary about conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, is now streaming on Netflix. Houdini was friends with the young Hilton sisters and gave them advice during their time in Vaudeville. The documentary mentions Houdini and includes recordings of the sisters talking about the advice the magician gave them.

In their heyday, the Hilton Sisters were Vaudeville superstars who earned a weekly salary that was as high as Houdini's. This documentary tells their strange and somewhat tragic story.

You can watch Bound By Flesh on Netflix or buy the DVD from Amazon. For more information visit the official website.

Thanks to Steve Bingen for the alert. Check out Steve's new book, Warner Bros: Hollywood's Ultimate Backlot.

Houdini's mystery mistresses

Looks like we've opened a can or worms.

Following on my illicit loves of Houdini article (our most viewed post), Houdini expert Patrick Culliton has posted on his own website several photos of other women said to have been "sometimes associated with Houdini." But no names. That's for us to figure out.

Click here to check out the mystery women at Houdini's Ghost. You can also join the discussion at The Magic Cafe forum, which includes some criticism that we shouldn't be delving into Houdini's (alleged) extramarital adventures. Your thoughts?