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Porthouse Theatre presents “Side Show: In Concert” July 7-18 at Blossom Music Center

This summer, Porthouse Theatre invites audiences to experience one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant musicals ever written: “Side Show: In Concert.”

While titles like “Grease” are beloved cultural touchstones, “Side Show” occupies a different place in the musical theatre canon. It is a rare and treasured work — one that theatre artists speak about with reverence and audiences remember long after the curtain call. Seen far less frequently than many Broadway favorites, “Side Show” has earned a devoted following for its soaring score, profound humanity and unforgettable story.

Inspired by the true story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who rose from sideshow attractions to vaudeville fame in the 1920s and 1930s, “Side Show” explores the universal desire to be loved, accepted and seen for who we truly are. At its heart, it is a story about sisterhood, identity, resilience and the courage to embrace one's uniqueness.

Featuring a Tony Award-nominated score by Henry Krieger and Bill Russell, the musical includes some of the most beautiful and emotionally stirring songs ever written for the stage. The score blends soaring ballads, theatrical spectacle and intimate storytelling into an experience that is both deeply personal and profoundly moving.

This special concert presentation places the focus exactly where it belongs: on the music, the story and the extraordinary performances. Without elaborate scenery or technical effects, audiences are invited into the emotional core of the piece, allowing the score and characters to shine with remarkable clarity and power.

Rarely do emerging artists have the chance to perform a work of this caliber — one that is cherished by theatre professionals and respected throughout the industry for its complexity and emotional depth. Dean Emeritus Dr. John R. Crawford-Spinelli and Mr. Frank Crawford-Spinelli love the show so much that they are sponsoring the Porthouse production.

The musical also holds a special connection to ���Ĵ�ý. ���Ĵ�ý alumna and Broadway star Alice Ripley received a Tony Award nomination for her acclaimed portrayal of Violet Hilton in the original Broadway production, making “Side Show” an especially meaningful title for the ���Ĵ�ý community.

At a time when much of the entertainment world encourages us to look outward, “Side Show” asks us to look inward. It challenges audiences to examine their assumptions, embrace compassion and celebrate the things that make each of us unique.

If “Grease” is the joy of the season, “Side Show” is its heart.

This is more than a concert. It is a rare opportunity to experience a hidden gem of American musical theatre — an unforgettable work that reminds us of the power of love, acceptance and human connection.

Some musicals entertain you.

Some musicals change you.

“Side Show” does both.

Performance Dates and Times

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Theatre Box Office, online at www.kent.edu/porthouse/tickets or by phone at 330-672-3884. The box office is located in the Roe Green Center lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, in Kent, Ohio. The box office is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday.

For more information about ���Ĵ�ý’s Porthouse Theatre, visit www.kent.edu/porthouse

SIDE SHOW, IN CONCERT is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.