Cover The Broadway cast of ‘Side Show: The Musical’ during the 2014 revival (Photo: GettyImages/Walter McBride)
The Broadway cast of ‘Side Show: The Musical’ during the 2014 revival (Photo: GettyImages/Walter McBride)
1 / 1
The full cast of ‘Side Show: The Musical’ is released! Here’s what you can expect
Coming from two heartwrenching theatre productions—Tiny Beautiful Things and Next to Normal—The Sandbox Collective continues its 2025 season with Side Show: The Musical set to hit the stage in July. Set in 1930s America, the show is a fictional retelling of the lives of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton as they found fame performing in the vaudeville circuit. The original musical made its debut in 1997 on Broadway and was revived in 2014—receiving three Helen Hayes Awards and multiple Tony Award nominations. Locally, the show was produced under Atlantis Theatrical in 2018 and starred household names such as Kayla Rivera, Gab Pangilinan and Markki Stroem.
More from Tatler: GMG Productions marks its first Filipino-led production with ‘Come From Away’
Above The conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton with Mr and Mrs Meyers, their managers (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Progress Studio)
The conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton with Mr and Mrs Meyers, their managers (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Progress Studio)
1 / 1
In real life, the two were exhibited around Europe and went on to tour the United States sideshow, vaudeville and burlesque circuits. The twins were then emancipated from their abusive managers under the advice of legendary escapologist Harry Houdini who was a close friend. Skilled in tap-dancing and jazz music—Violet on the saxophone and Daisy on the violin—the duo was regarded as a sensation and spawned multiple film and theatre adaptations based on their lives.
Tanya Manalang plays Violet Hilton (Photo: courtesy of The Sandbox Collective)
1 / 5
Bringing the cast of The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show to life is a slew of veteran actors. Alternating the role of the twins, Violet and Daisy are the theatrical powerhouses Tanya Manalang and Marynor Madamesila, and Krystal Kane and Molly Langley. Stepping into the shoes of The Boss is comedian, host and TV personality Jon Santos—who will also be starring in the upcoming rerun of Bawat Bonggang Bagay.
See also: ‘Joseph the Dreamer’ returns to the stage this July
Reb Atadero plays Terry Connor (Photo: courtesy of The Sandbox Collective)
1 / 4
Playing the role of the press agent and Daisy’s love interest, Terry Connor are Reb Atadero and CJ Navato who were last seen in C.A.S.T. PH’s Othello and 9Works Theatrical’s Liwanag sa Dilim respectively. Representing Violet’s love interest, Buddy Foster, are Vien King and Tim Pavino who are best known for their roles in Tick, Tick… Boom!, Rama Hari, Matilda and Jersey Boys among many others—with King returning to the show after playing one of the circus members in the 2018 run.
Marvin Ong plays Jake (Photo: courtesy of The Sandbox Collective)
1 / 14
Sharing the role of Jake, the sideshow foreman who’s secretly inlove with Violet, are Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas who were most recently seen I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Delia D. Rounding out the cast is a spectacular ensemble comprising of Arion Sanchez, Chan Rabutazo, Fay Castro, Daniel Wesley, Ian Hermogenes, Mikee Baskiñas, Pamela Imperial, Pappel, Raflesia Bravo, Red Nuestro, Reine Paisley and Rhap Salazar who will most likely be playing the other circus and freakshow denizens such as the snake charmer, the bearded lady and reptile man among others.
Side Show: The Musical will be directed by The Sandbox Collective’s managing artistic director Toff de Venecia, with Ejay Yatco serving as the musical director—so expect a live band!
The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show: The Musical opens on July 26, 2025, and will run until August 16, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theatre in Circuit Makati. For more information, follow their social media pages.
NOW READ
What growing up really sounds like: Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s ‘We Aren’t Kids Anymore’
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
