Doing a musical about Siamese twins has been a challenge, but students at George C. Marshall High School have been relishing the opportunity. Not only do the actors playing the twins need to be attached to each other throughout the whole show, but blocking, or directing where players should be onstage, changes to accommodate the twins.
"It's not conventional. It's a love story, but how many people have heard a love story about Siamese twins?" said Peter Van Valkenburgh, who plays Terry Connor in Marshall's spring production, Side Show. "The concept is so alien...it brings up interesting possibilities and interesting thoughts."
Marshall's Side Show runs from May 8 to May 11. The production involves 37 students in the cast, and about 25 working backstage.
The musical, despite its short run on Broadway, received numerous Tony Award nominations for its story about two women who are Siamese twins navigating love, happiness and fulfillment as they tour in a 1925 freak show.
"It's not a musical that many people are going to have seen before," said director and theater teacher Mark Krikstan. "Yet the story is one that nearly every music tells: of love, of broken hearts, of dreams."
For the actors portraying the twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, the challenge has been not only acting as if they've been connected for 25 years, but becoming used to working in each other's space.
"I love my character Daisy. I love her drive," said senior Kelly Williams. "The fact that she's so determined to do what's best for her and Violet, despite her obvious handicap."
The other actors must also become accustomed to perceiving the two actors as one unit.
"It's a fascinating obstacle. The play and the way it's written...call for such tight definition," said senior David Winkler, who portrays Buddy Foster, Violet's love interest. "It calls for a lot of solidarity among the actors."
But actors say that it's not just the story, but the music and costumes that make Side Show a good bet to see.
"It's such a spectacle, the show," said junior Louisa Krause, who portrays Violet. "Just in the music, there's so much drama."
Showtimes for Side Show are 7:30 p.m. on May 8 to 10, and 3 p.m. on May 11. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults.
George C. Marshall High School is located at 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA.