A match made at the freak show
At the heart of Side Show: The Musical are real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who, despite being marked as “freaks” by spectators, remain steadfast in their sisterhood. They find love, perhaps at the wrong places first, but always in each other. As the saying goes, “Sorrow shared is halved.”
The same solidarity guides the people behind The Sandbox Collective’s iteration of the musical, directed by Toff De Venecia with Ejay Yatco as musical director.
“We wanted to take care of it and create the most authentic version it can be, because we all strongly believed in the message of the story,” says Ian Hermogenes, who is part of the ensemble.
The Gen Z cast members of ‘Side Show: The Musical’ are, like the conjoined Hilton twins at the center of the show, freaks in their own ways — but also never alone.
“The experiences of Violet and Daisy Hilton, along with the other ‘freaks’ they lived among, reveal deep truths about exploitation, prejudice, and the human tendency to ‘other’ those who are different,” says Molly Langley, who stars as Violet. “Sadly, these themes are not confined to the past.”
Each member of its expansive cast is crucial to building Daisy and Violet’s 1930s America. The result is a beautifully crafted musical about how we’re more similar than we are different. “‘Come hear how love speaks,’ we sing. Love and understanding are hard lessons we all need to learn as humans,” Ian adds.
Young STAR chats with the Gen Z cast members of the musical ahead of their final weekend. And like Daisy and Violet, who braved the world as a duo, we pair the actors—they are, like all of us, “freaks” in their own ways. Freaks for pursuing theater in a nation that remains precarious for creatives, for still finding themselves on the stage despite thriving in careers outside of it, and for continuing to heed the call of their hearts, again and again.
Meet Chan Rabutazo and indie singer Pappel, rising theater stars who are part of the ensemble; Rhap Salazar and Reine Paisley, ensemble members making their theater debuts; Ian Hermogenes and Daniel Wesley, who are making waves in back-to-back productions; and Molly Langley and Fay Castro, who defied all odds to perform onstage.
It takes two to dream
YOUNG STAR: What are some dreams, big or small, that you’ve already reached?
Chan Rabutazo: Working with Sir Ejay Yatco. I was blown away by his work; the music he created and the arrangements were superb. He's my idol. I prayed and manifested for the chance to work with him, and God is, indeed, good! He answered my prayer sooner than I expected. This is my third project with him, and I'd like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sir Ejay for entrusting me and believing in me.
Pappel: (Ang) maging bahagi ng sining. ‘Yung bumuo, matuto, at magpakalulong doon kapag nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. May espesyal na espasyo ang theater and music sa mga pangarap ko. Ngayon, mas lalo ko nang na-aappreciate kung gaano ako ka-blessed na nagagawa ko ‘yung dalawang ‘yon.
What are some of the biggest career and life goals that you’re working towards?
Chan: Taking on roles that challenge me and allow me to grow as a performer. I'd love to be part of projects that not only showcase my talent but also tell meaningful stories that resonate with audiences. On a personal level, I'm working towards being true to my art and bringing authenticity to every role I take on. For me, it's about creating work that feels real and impactful.
Pappel: Ang maging student of life for life, with an open heart, and most importantly, give so much more. Aapaw at ibubuhos lang palagi nang ibubuhos. Mag-iwan ng marka. At maipangako rin sa sarili na masasabi ko ito: “I’ve lived a life that’s full.”
It takes two to dare
What has your experience been like being part of Side Show, especially since this is your professional theatrical debut?
Rhap Salazar: I was surrounded by brilliant and generous people, and the learning process was smooth, full of love, and very memorable. They all made me feel that I belong and I’m worthy of being onstage with them.
Reine Paisley: The entire experience has been so fulfilling as a creative and performer. When you’re surrounded by such generous, thoughtful, creative souls, the process of discovering and creating something beautiful like this show feels so light and freeing. As someone who’s worked in various industries as a creative all my life, I know for a fact that it’s not the easiest to find such bliss with teams, but dear God, am I glad to have found it with these freaks!
Has performing on a theater stage always been a dream? How has your previous background helped you in Side Show?
Rhap: It has been a dream of mine to perform in a theater show as a way to step up my artist game. Mas na-excite din ako knowing that this is a sung-through musical. This is way different from mainstream singing because you have plenty of time to learn and process the material, and having a collaborative work environment is such an amazing experience. Now, I feel more confident about my skills because my co-actors and directors put their trust in me.
Reine: I’ve been in the professional theater scene since I was a teen. But I spent most of that time behind the scenes with a camera or doing production work. Most of my childhood was spent in private lessons, developing my skills and confidence. I had a knack for singing, dancing, and acting, but I had such huge stage fright! For some reason, it wasn’t until my first musical theater workshop that I truly felt at home as a performer on stage. I had a boost in confidence and it led me to shine in other ways, like becoming a radio DJ in college, an events host, and a professional voice talent. As cheesy as it may sound, I wouldn’t be the confident person I’m proud to be today if it weren’t for theater.
It takes two to devote
How has your journey in theater been so far? What is it like to be on multiple stages, telling different stories?
Ian Hermogenes: I’ve been in the industry for almost seven years and spent a year performing abroad. Theater is my true love, I think. Even if I quit or stop for a while, I’m almost always certain I will go back. And I’m positive I have a community to go back to.
Philippine theater just hits differently. It’s full of artists who inspire me to be a better artist myself. It can be tough: being a Filipino artist doesn’t promise a stable career or a steady income. But it’s always worth it because you’re surrounded by people who are so creative, passionate, and just amazing humans outside of work. I’m grateful to be rubbing shoulders with these weirdos.
Daniel Wesley: Ang paglalakbay ko sa mundo ng teatro ay parang entablado, minsan maliwanag, minsan madilim; minsan maingay, minsan tahimik. Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay nandoon tayo sa gusto nating mangyari pero ang mahalaga ay totoo tayo sa ating ginagawa. Sobrang saya sa damdamin at sa katawan na magtanghal sa mga tao (at) maikwento sa kanila ang dapat maikwento.
What drives you to continue pursuing theater?
Ian: I have a tattoo that says “Ars longa, vita brevis,” which translates to “Art is long, and life is short.” It generally means that mastering a skill or creating a lasting work of art can take a lifetime, but our lifetime is so finite. This might seem pessimistic, but it has been a compass in my life. I wanna do theater forever. I wanna be an artist until I die. Ang dramatic, I know. But there is so much to learn, and so many things to create or be a part of. I only have one life, so I might as well do what I truly love and what brings me immense joy.
Daniel: Ipinapapatuloy ko ang teatro dahil dito ko naibabahagi ang talento na meron ako. Dito sumisilakbo ang aking damdamin. Sa bawat pagkakataon na dumarating, ang daming aral na matututunan.
It takes two to defy
How has your journey in theater been so far? What do you consider the barriers you’ve broken?
Molly Langley: I had been singing since I was little, often joining barangay singing competitions back home in Boracay. But everything changed when I moved to Europe at 12 to study. Sitting in the audience for my very first musical, Wicked, I turned to my Lola and said with absolute certainty, “I’m going to be on that stage one day, and nothing’s going to stop me.”
That promise to myself led me to study musical theatre in the UK for three years. I began my professional career with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, performing in variety shows and mini-musicals while traveling the world. But after years at sea, I began to hear a quiet voice urging me to return home to the Philippines. Moving back reconnected me with a loving and accepting theater community, one I’m proud to be part of.
Fay Castro: My journey in theater, like in any other career I’ve dabbled in, had its ups and downs. But it’s definitely taught me a lot, and I don’t regret a single thing. I’ve done things onstage I never thought I’d be capable of, thanks to directors and choreographers who encouraged me to go further. After five years in the industry, I fulfilled my longtime dream of doing a full split (track). I know it may seem insignificant, but it truly solidified my belief that I can do anything with dedication and training.
What are some misconceptions about yourself, or Philippine theater more generally, that you’d like to debunk?
Molly: A common misconception from the outside is that (Philippine theater) only thrives in Manila or that it simply follows the lead of Western productions. In reality, Philippine theater has its own rich, distinct identity rooted in indigenous traditions, shaped by history, and constantly evolving through original Filipino work. It’s bold, innovative, and world-class, as proven by the incredible talent we’ve seen making waves internationally. I’m proud to be part of a community that carries so much heart, skill, and dedication, and I’m excited to keep growing within it.
Fay: I say this with all the love in the world, but theater life is really not for everyone. Talent is great (and this is the Philippines, we have no lack of talent), but consistency and professionalism are what keep you working. It’s sleepless nights, skipping meals to review blocking, taking dance classes outside of work to build the strength to survive choreo, having to maintain a separate job that can support your rehearsal days. It’s the easiest thing in the world to give up. But hey, I’m still here. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Catch the final weekend of The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show: The Musical at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Makati. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me.Net.
