Last week I told you about Capital Playhouse’s current production of Side Show, a story about a set of conjoined twins who find themselves on the freak show circuit only to be discovered and brought to national attention. It’s a nice little show that has a depth of talent that runs well beyond its principals.



Elyssa Samsel hits all of the right notes as Violet Hilton, and Megan Rozak does her part to portray Daisy Hilton, the other half of the sisters in this play that is loosely based on a true story. Their roles are crucial to the success of the show, so it is understandable that their performances would be as strong as they are. Capital Playhouse would not accept anything less. But the talent on the stage for this show runs well beyond those two.



The ace among the actors in supporting roles for this show is Geoffery Simmons, who plays the role of Jake, the Cannibal King of the freak show circuit who has a warm spot for the girls. His powerful voice and nuanced performance that ranges from rabid savage to tender lion are incredible. After this gig, Simmons will play the role of Jim in Big River at Seattle’s Taproot Theatre later this year. The show likely will be the hit of that theater’s season if his performance here is any indication of things to come.



But another actor of note is sort of a favorite of mine since I have seen him take to the stage since before he could drive. Adam Randolph, who first took to the stage out in Gig Harbor a lifetime ago and was noticed then, has proven he has the acting staying power to do good things. This show marks his sixth production at Capital Playhouse, but he has performed in more than 40 theater productions in the Puget Sound during the last decade or so. He was Bobby Strong in Capital Playhouse’s production of Urinetown, Jimmy Powers in City of Angels, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, and B.J. Gibson in The 1940’s Radio Hour. Avid readers of this column can recite the mantra as to why his acting stands out from that of so many others. His characters are complete and real rather than caricatures, but he also stays in those acting moments when the focus isn’t on him and audiences should have their eyes on the action. He fades into the background but stays in character and never leaves it. He reminds me of John Munn, another veteran actor of the South Sound, in that regard. He has a Nicholas Cage quality about him.

Student directors

Down the street from Capital Playhouse this week will be Saint Martin’s University theater production’s series of one-act plays. Three student directors will test their skills on a real show by staging an evening of one-act plays. Each performance features four one-act plays that will test the talents of some of the best student talent found on campus.

“Saint Martin’s audiences will be familiar with these students’ stage work — all three are accomplished actors,” says David Hlavsa, professor of theater. “This is their chance to apply what they’ve learned, working from the other side of the footlights.”



[Capital Playhouse, Sideshow, through April 5, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $21-$33; 612 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943. 2744, www.capitalplayhouse.com]

[State Theater, one-act plays, April 2-5 7:30 p.m., $6-$10, April 3 pay-what-you-will, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.491.4700]