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.
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.
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Tatler Asia
17 hours ago
- Tatler Asia
The Sandbox Collective's ‘Side Show: The Musical' is Toff de Venecia's final love letter to Philippine theatre
Above Jon Santos interacting with the audience before the show starts (Photo: Gabriel Bohol) Before the show starts, the cast excitedly takes the stage and interacts with the audience—detached from their roles and asking questions. The day I watched, Jon Santos, who plays the Boss, mentions that we should get ready for a 'darker version of Bongga ', referencing his previous work in Bawat Bonggang Bagay . At a moment's notice, everyone snaps into character for a seamless transition to the start of the show. Ever committed to its advocacies, The Sandbox Collective starts Side Show with soundbites from prominent historical figures, but what struck me the most was former President Rodrigo Duterte's quote about the war on drugs. It was terrifying to hear once again, and to be used in this context reinforced what Santos had previously mentioned. See also: What to expect at the Philippine staging of 'Into The Woods' Above Reine Paisley in her theatre debut (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) JM Cabling's choreography, paired with The Sandbox Collective's partnership with Ivan the Selfie Magician, was one of the best parts of the show. The lively ensemble darting around the room while performing magic tricks set the tone—making it feel like I was at an old-timey carnival. It only gets better with Mark Dalacat's set design and Carlos Siongco's costume design, to which the production spared no expense. Above Marynor Madamesila and Tanya Manalang-Atadero as Daisy and Violet Hilton (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above Krystal Kane and Molly Langley as Daisy and Violet Hilton (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Side Show 's casting couldn't have been done better as everyone—from the leads to the ensemble and alternates—infused their own unique variations to the roles. For instance, the Hilton Twins: Tanya Manalang-Atadero and Marynor Madamesila and Krystal Kane and Molly Langley gave us a glimpse of what it's like to be in their shoes. While the world around them can only see them as freaks, the show allows the audience to see past that. To us, the two aren't Siamese twins; they're just twins who talk and feel as we do. Above Jon Santos as The Boss (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) As the only role outside the ensemble that has no alternates, Santos masterfully commands the stage with his powerful presence as The Boss. It's a shame that his character has little appearance, as I would've loved to see more of his antics. Thankfully, Santos still puts on a show in the form of other characters that bear his signature flair. Read also: 'Intramuros Evenings' returns with a unique restaging of 'Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?' Above CJ Navato as Terry Connor (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above Reb Atadero as Terry Connor (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above Tim Pavino as Buddy Foster (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above Vien King as Buddy Foster with Krystal Kane and Molly Langley (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Terry Connor, Buddy Foster and Jake—three characters who are made night and day through the different approaches by six actors were nothing short of perfect. CJ Navato and Reb Atadero, as the charming Terry, both performed heartfelt solos but differed in how they swaggered around as an agency suit. While the former makes it seem as though he's truly fallen for one of the twins, the latter makes it feel more sinister, changing how one might interpret the story. Vien King and Tim Pavino, on the other hand, gave us flashy and modest versions of Buddy. Above Marvin Ong as Jake (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above Joshua Cabiladas as Jake (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) By far, however, everyone pales in comparison to Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas' portrayal of Jake. In each of their performances of You Should Be Loved , the audience erupted into cheers. Interestingly, Cabiladas bore a thick Filipino accent, which gave his songs a unique twang that made them all the more entrancing. Ong's version, while distinct from Cabiladas, was equally amazing. While Jake is a supporting character, the two's nuanced takes easily made him one of the most loved in the musical. Above The freaks performing close-up magic (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) Above The costume of The Masked Ragdoll during the intermission (Photo: Gabriel Bohol) Side Show 's cast is rounded out by its energetic ensemble, who took the time to learn close-up magic tricks for their roles as the freaks. Each member had a 'freak' that made them unique—from a bearded lady to an arsonist and a psychic. Come intermission, mannequins were put on display on stage, adorned with the freaks' costumes and labelled descriptions on what makes each of them special. Guests are encouraged to leave their seats to get to know the side show's denizens. Above One of the banners at the side show (Photo: Loreta Arroyo) As De Venecia's final directorial stint with The Sandbox Collective, one could say that Side Show is a culmination of his over-a-decade-long passion for theatre and is a fitting send-off. It was a beautiful blend of advocacies and theatricality which could be considered his magnum opus. The Sandbox Collective's Side Show the Musical runs until August 17, 2025, at the Power Mac Centre Spotlight Blackbox Theatre, Circuit Makati. For more information, follow their social media pages. 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Tatler Asia
06-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
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
Tatler Asia
06-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
‘The Greatest Showman' star Keala Settle takes the stage at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater
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