Why you should watch The Sandbox Collective's ‘Side Show: The Musical'
The show also holds a special place in the young creative director's heart. He shares that the musical was his first foray into directing, which led to him helming the production of Little Shop of Horrors the following year.
'This was the first show that I ever directed on my own back in 2010. To have done Little Shop of Horrors last year and then Side Show this year, it feels like a full circle moment,' he says.
Given that there are two versions of the musical—the original 1997 staging and the 2014 revival—De Venecia reveals that The Sandbox Collective will follow the latter. 'This is my favourite version of the show. It's the one that I grew up with and the one I directed before… It's also more political, so it's something that we could really sink our teeth into. Theatre is a platform for advocacy where we talk about social issues, and this is the perfect version of the show to do just that. It's similar but different,' he shares.
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Above Marynor Madamesila, Tanya Manalang, Krystal Kane, and Molly Langley as Daisy and Violet Hilton
Themed around identity, love and acceptance and set in a world that shuns being different, Side Show: The Musical tells a relevant story despite its historical and macabre setting. We've seen it in real life with violence as an answer towards pride marches and systemic racial inequalities. The musical is an ode to those who aren't seen as 'normal'—only next to it. 'Hopefully, when you watch it, you feel seen. Even if there's a part of you that you hide from everybody, we want you to feel validated when you watch,' says Reb Atadero, who plays Terry.
Above Ivan The Selfie Magician performing during The Sandbox Collective's 'Side Show: The Musical' press conference
In an effort to enhance the circus aesthetic and vibe, The Sandbox Collective enlisted the help of Ivan the Selfie Magician as their magic consultant. As a master illusionist and performer, Ivan has been teaching the cast how to do close-up magic and other seemingly impossible tricks. While The Sandbox Collective has playfully dodged questions on the extent of their stunts, it's safe to assume
The Sandbox Collective's Side Show: The Musical opens on July 26 and runs until August 16 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. For more information, visit their social media pages.
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Why you should watch The Sandbox Collective's ‘Side Show: The Musical'
Above Director Toff de Venecia gives his opening remarks The show also holds a special place in the young creative director's heart. He shares that the musical was his first foray into directing, which led to him helming the production of Little Shop of Horrors the following year. 'This was the first show that I ever directed on my own back in 2010. To have done Little Shop of Horrors last year and then Side Show this year, it feels like a full circle moment,' he says. Given that there are two versions of the musical—the original 1997 staging and the 2014 revival—De Venecia reveals that The Sandbox Collective will follow the latter. 'This is my favourite version of the show. It's the one that I grew up with and the one I directed before… It's also more political, so it's something that we could really sink our teeth into. Theatre is a platform for advocacy where we talk about social issues, and this is the perfect version of the show to do just that. It's similar but different,' he shares. See also: Virgin Labfest (VLF) 2025 courageously opens difficult conversations Above Marynor Madamesila, Tanya Manalang, Krystal Kane, and Molly Langley as Daisy and Violet Hilton Themed around identity, love and acceptance and set in a world that shuns being different, Side Show: The Musical tells a relevant story despite its historical and macabre setting. We've seen it in real life with violence as an answer towards pride marches and systemic racial inequalities. The musical is an ode to those who aren't seen as 'normal'—only next to it. 'Hopefully, when you watch it, you feel seen. Even if there's a part of you that you hide from everybody, we want you to feel validated when you watch,' says Reb Atadero, who plays Terry. Above Ivan The Selfie Magician performing during The Sandbox Collective's 'Side Show: The Musical' press conference In an effort to enhance the circus aesthetic and vibe, The Sandbox Collective enlisted the help of Ivan the Selfie Magician as their magic consultant. As a master illusionist and performer, Ivan has been teaching the cast how to do close-up magic and other seemingly impossible tricks. While The Sandbox Collective has playfully dodged questions on the extent of their stunts, it's safe to assume The Sandbox Collective's Side Show: The Musical opens on July 26 and runs until August 16 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. For more information, visit their social media pages. NOW READ Reimagining the narratives of the past: the UP Vargas Museum highlights works by Lee Paje and Ampannee Satoh The Playbook Club's 'First Love, Last Love: A Twinbill' tells intimate stories of time and connection Repertory Philippines brings Yasmina Reza's acclaimed comedy play to the stage, offering insights into art's true value
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