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Director Toff De Venecia on his new musical Side Show

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Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

As an child actor turned theater director, Toff De Venecia has been at the helm of major productions for various theater companies like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, Little Shop of Horrors, and Next To Normal. In his latest Sandbox Collective musical Side Show, the multi-talented director proudly shared what theater fans can look forward to in this production.With the musical’s storyline revolving around the lives of famous conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who became famous stage performers in the 1930s, Toff shared why Side Show is a special choice for him to stage.“Side Show is such an amazing musical. We just decided on the show during the second or third weekend of Next to Normal. We were exploring many different titles but one suggestion led to another and so hear we are. This show is special to me because this is the first show I ever directed on my own. They got me to direct this version of the show way back when in 2010. And then my next show after that was Little Shop of Horrors. To do Little Shop of Horrors last year and then Side Show this year, it’s really almost like a full circle moment.” https://www.instagram.com/p/DLkER6rsopN/?hl=en Set in the US during the Great Depression, Side Show features a cast of talented actors who will portray a variety of freaks in society.“Well I think that’s where the politics of the other, the marginalized, the underserved comes in kasi we’re using talaga the show to be able to platform awareness about all these underserved communities. So I think that’s a way to make it new, like the politics and the relatability of the politics, that’s one. Two, it’s new and so far, how it’s staged. So audiences will get both sides. I don’t want to say it’s immersive but it’s very experiential. It’s almost like you’re there with them. It’s like giving Himala vibes in a way. Siguro the staging is also very contemporary. So we’re very excited,” he explained. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/7/12/jon-santos-shares-why-he-enjoys-working-with-younger-theater-actors-mga-apo-ko-yan-2258">READ: Jon Santos shares why he enjoys working with younger theater actors: ‘Mga apo ko yan!’</a></div>Although Atlantis Productions had already previously staged Side Show in 2018 based on the 2014 revival version, Toff admits that his decision to base their show on the 1997 original production will be a grittier, and darker version of the musical. “We kind of leaned into the text of the 1997 version and how that might be expanded into our own artistry and creativity and inputs from everybody. This is a co-creative, highly collaborative experience that I really feel like I’m just orchestrating from behind. But then, I’m just setting a framework and they’re all filling it up, filling it in. It’s been so wonderful collaborating with them for this production. That’s why it’s new. It’s the first time this version is being professionally staged here in Manila. What you saw by Atlantis in 2018 is the 2014 version. So that’s something new to look forward to. And again, just the alchemy of everybody, cast and crew, putting this show together,” he said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/7/23/toff-de-venecia-steps-down-as-sandbox-artistic-director-sab-jose-to-succeed-him-1418">READ: Toff De Venecia steps down as Sandbox artistic director, Sab Jose to succeed him</a></div>Watch The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show the Musical which starts its run on July 26 and will until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. The cast includes Jon Santos, CJ Navato, Vien King, Reb Atadero, Tim Pavino, Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, Molly Langley, Joshua Cabiladas, Marvin Ong, and many more. Directed by Toff De Venecia and produced by The Sandbox Collective.

Toff De Venecia explains why directing 'Side Show' is a full circle moment for him.

Toff De Venecia explains why directing 'Side Show' is a full circle moment for him.

Director Toff De Venecia on his new musical 'Side Show': ‘It’s like giving Himala vibes in a way’

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Director Toff De Venecia on his new musical 'Side Show': ‘It’s like giving Himala vibes in a way’

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published Jul 26, 2025 06:15 PM PHT

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Toff De Venecia

theater

The Sandbox Collective

Side Show musical

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