More Than a Circus: Side Show Reminds Us We're All Freaks Parading as Humans

Beyond the spectacle lies the haunting truth: we're all just trying to be loved.

Published on Aug 1, 2025

(SPOT.ph) Come look at the freaks!

The opening line of The Sandbox Collective’s second show of the season—Side Show—is an invitation to look past appearances and prejudice, and see what truly makes us human. And that’s exactly what the production delivers, packaged in colorful, vibrant costumes in the 1930s entertainment circuit.

For the uninitiated, Side Show follows conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton and their journey from circus freaks to vaudeville darlings. At first glance, it may look like a story of reaching for the American dream—a tale of determination towards fame and success, but that's only half the story. At its core, it’s really about the harder battle of being seen, understood, and accepted, both by others and by yourself.

And that's where the heart of this production lies: in its characters. For roles depicted as grotesque misfits—freaks, as the show calls them—interestingly enough, they're more human than caricature. They're fully realized people with fears, longings, and quiet hopes. And the brilliant thing about The Sandbox Collective's take on Side Show is that it leverages this strength and gives the audience double the stakes.

The cast of Side Show brings the 'freaks' to life with very human portrayals

In true Sandbox Collective fashion, Side Show features two alternating casts for its lead roles. A first-time viewer might think one show is enough—but trust us, you’ll want to come back for the other. Each actor brings out a different shade of the characters, revealing new layers you didn’t catch the first time. After all, we’re all freaks in our own way—so who knows? The other cast might just put your inner freak in the spotlight.

Krystal Kane and Molly Langley share the role of the twins Daisy and Violet Hilton with Marynor Mademasila and Tanya Manalang, giving the twins two distinct looks—each set, jarringly twin-like—yet offering two very distinct takes of the sisters. Double trouble? More like double treble, if you ask us. Both pairs bring powerhouse vocals that'll leave you in awe every time they belt a tune.

Click to Enlarge

Krystal Kane and Molly Langley as Daisy and Violet Hilton. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

Click to Enlarge

Tanya Manalang and Marynor Mademasila as Violet and Daisy Hilton. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective..

Kane and Langley's take on the Hilton twins was hauntingly innocent and naive. They bring a doe-eyed wonder into their portrayals, perfect especially in the first act when the twins were coming into their own and discovering their voice. This makes it even more heartbreaking when they sing the longing ballad, Who Will Love Me as I Am. They bring a teen-like naivete to Daisy and Violet that younger audiences could latch on to. Innocent and sweet as their angelic vocals, Kane and Langley's Hilton twins are young twenty-somethings unsure of where life will take them. When life hits them with the truth in the second act, you'll find yourself saying, "Oh, honey," like someone older and wiser who understands the pain of young heartbreak.

Click to Enlarge

Molly Langley and Krystal Kane bring an innocence to the role. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective..

Meanwhile, Mademasila and Manalang brought a more mature and nuanced take. There's a confidence in their portrayal that makes you believe they've gone through more than Kane and Langley's twins. Mademasila and Manalang's portrayal was more emotionally charged. There was a quiet desperation in their performance, one that told you that this was the twins' last and only shot at a good life. It made every success sweeter and every cut much deeper.

Mademasila and Manalang's performance of I Will Never Leave You felt like watching Wicked's For Good, a quiet surrender to a painful truth you wish weren’t real, but have no choice but to accept. It carried the weight of finality, a poignant close to a long, emotional struggle. In contrast, Kane and Langley's rendition felt more like a promise to stay side by side for the long road ahead.

Click to Enlarge

Despite playing similar characters, Tanya Manalang and Marynor Mademasila approach Violet and Daisy Hilton differently as compared to Krystal Kane and Molly Langley. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

Whether it was intentional or not, the genius of this dual casting for the twins is next level. You're given two distinct performances that will tug your heartstrings regardless of where you are in life—young and hopeful or mature and battle-hardened, you'll see yourself in the Hilton twins, regardless.

Now onto the men. There are two male leads in Side Show, one man for Violet and one for Daisy; fittingly, they're two sides of the same coin.

CJ Navato and Reb Atadero share the role of sweet-talking, confident yet emotionally stunted Terry Conor.

Atadero was a reliable Terry, hitting all the right notes literally and figuratively. He easily shifts from a smooth-talking charmer to a conflicted man torn between societal expectations and his desires.

It’s a performance that gives you everything you need from a character like Terry—and then some.

Click to Enlarge

Reb Atadero as Terry Conor in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

Without a doubt, a good performance on its own, but it is a close second to Navato's take. There's something about Navato portraying a debonair that just hits. His characterization of Terry almost feels too real, like he is actually this guy who hides his feelings and conforms.

Looking back, Atadero’s vocals leave a stronger impression—emotional, precise, and layered with the kind of internal conflict the role demands. With Navato, it’s less about the singing and more about the presence. Dare we say, he’s the more convincing heartbreaker of the two—effortlessly charming, but with just enough edge to make you believe he’ll leave you high and dry.

Click to Enlarge

CJ Navato as Terry Conor in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

The other man on this foursome is Buddy, shared by Vien King and Tim Pavino. Both men share a very similar take on the in-over-his-head lad: Innocent but arguably selfish beneath the surface.

It is in these innocent, charming faces that Side Show hides its real villains. It isn't The Boss or the freaks that make the world a terrible place. It's the Terrys and Buddys who make us feel less than while also showering us in praises and love.

It's a smart choice to pair King with Navato, as King was able to match Navato's charm and suavity. The same goes with Pavino, whose boyish charm was so innocent that it gave Atadero's Terry enough room to appear more confident and self-assured.

Click to Enlarge

Vien King as Buddy Foster in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

Tim Pavino looking innocent as Buddy in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective

Click to Enlarge

Tim Pavino as Buddy Foster in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.

Supporting the strong performances from the four leads are outstanding performances from Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas' Jake "the Cannibal King," and Jon Santos as The Boss.

Cabiladas and Ong both gave the role of Jake their all. They were both able to portray the protective big brother perfectly, but their key difference lies in how they bring to life Jake's longing and pining for Violet.

Although Cabiladas gave it his all and made the Cannibal King human, hands down, Ong brought the house down. Ong's rendition of You Should Be Loved might even be one of the most moving performances of 2025. It perfectly balanced longing with frustration, culminating in a massive, sustained crescendo—the climax of his entire performance. Shivers ran down our spines as he belted the song's high note. It was an explosion of emotion, like every bottled-up feeling he had for Violent was just released—exactly what the scene needed and more. Everyone needs to see that performance live.

Click to Enlarge

Marvin Ong as Jake in Sideshow. Photo Courtesy of The Sandbox Collective..

Meanwhile, Jon Santos as The Boss was an entertaining break from the drama. Santos gave Side Show's cruel, menacing circus master a more chaotic, poltergeist-like portrayal. Though Santos' role required him to exploit the twins and the other freaks, his acting made it unserious, light, and the most caricature-like of all the so-called freaks, without drowning out the message.

He also slips into a few smaller roles in the second act, but each one carries the same unsettling energy. Every time Santos steps on stage, it’s as if something is about to go wrong—you’re on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. His performance keeps you alert, reminding you that in this world, comfort is a trap.

Click to Enlarge

Jon Santos as The Boss in Side Show. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective..

All these standout performances were elevated by smart, intentional design choices. Mark Dalacat’s inventive staging made full use of the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater's limited space, drawing the audience into a world that felt part circus act, part vaudeville stage. It was immersive without being overwhelming—like stepping into a tent where the chaos is both mesmerizing and uncomfortable. Peppered throughout were backstage glimpses and creative executions of internal monologues that pulled back the curtain, revealing the raw, unfiltered truth beneath the spectacle.

Carlos Siongco’s costume design added another layer of richness. From the bold, eye-catching looks of the “freaks” to the period-accurate 1930s vaudeville wear, every outfit helped ground you in the era and reminded you: you’re definitely not in Makati anymore. Plus, come on, you have to admit the way Mademasila and Manalang, and Kane and Langley became strikingly similar enough to pass as conjoined twins, deserves an award.

Both Dalacat and Siongco’s work served the story beautifully—striking the delicate balance between theatricality and restraint. It would’ve been easy to go over-the-top, but instead, they gave Side Show the quiet dignity it deserves. Because this isn’t just a story about freaks—it’s a deeply human one.

Click to Enlarge

The costumes in Side Show helped the plot move forward, not just to add shock value. Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective..

Side Show first hit the stage in 1998, and 27 years later, The Sandbox Collective’s take still lands with full force. With set design that cleverly stretches the space and whisks you straight into the vaudeville circuit, vocals that stop you in your tracks, and characters brought to life with real emotional weight, this production is a powerful and fitting send-off for Toff De Venecia’s tenure as Artistic Director.

In the words of the twins: What else would you like to know?

Side Show runs until August 17 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Mall, Makati City. Get your tickets via Ticket2Me.

Also read:
Everything You Need to Know about the Musical Side Show
Must-Watch Concerts and Theater Shows This August 2025
Your Ultimate Guide To Theater Shows in the Philippines in 2025

Leana is Spot's go-to for Arts & Culture and Things to Do. On any given day, she’s either glued to her screen—or gliding underwater like the mermaid she swears she is. Contact: leana@spot.ph

More Than a Circus: Side Show Reminds Us We're All Freaks Parading as Humans

The cast of Side Show brings the 'freaks' to life with very human portrayals

Read more stories about