Your Ultimate Cast Guide to Side Show The Musical
Who's Who in Side Show The Musical? Meet the Cast and See When They're On Stage!
July 21, 2025
After mounting critically-acclaimed productions of Little Shop of Horrors: A Bloodthirsty Musical Comedy and Next to Normal, The Sandbox Collective continues its 2025 season with SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL
Set in 1930s America, SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is a fictional depiction of the life and times of real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who found fame and notoriety in the vaudeville circuit in 1920 and 1930s.
Featuring a stellar mix of Philippine theater’s veterans and rising stars, the show is set to captivate audiences with a brand new staging of the original 1997 version of SIDE SHOW.
THE HILTON TWINS
Alternating in the role of the conjoined twins, Violet and Daisy Hilton, are powerhouse pairs Tanya Manalang and Marynor Madamesila, and Krystal Kane and Molly Langley.
Tanya Manalang stars as Violet Hilton
The award-winning and global artist, Tanya Manalang stars as Violet Hilton in Side Show. She played Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ (West End, London) and originated the role of Joy in ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo.’ She is a Best Actress winner (Aliw, GEMS), and has starred in ‘The Sound of Music,’ ‘The King and I,’ ‘Rak of Aegis,’ ‘tick, tick... Boom!,’ ‘All Out of Love,’ and more.
Marynor Madamesila stars alongside Tanya as Daisy Hilton
A proud alumna of UP Diliman’s Theatre Arts program, Marynor Madamesila stars alongside Tanya as Daisy Hilton. She is a singer, mover, and multimedia actor.
Some of her recent credits include: ‘Walang Aray,’ ‘Sandosenang Sapatos,’ ‘Batang Rizal,’ ‘Rak of Aegis,’ and’ Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.’ Marynor is a Gawad Buhay and Aliw Award nominee for Best Lead Actress. On screen, Marynor has appeared in ‘Pamilya Ko,’ ‘Love in 40 Days,’ ‘Oh, Mando!’ and ‘Beauty and the Boss.’
It was also recently announced that she will be playing the lead role of Gregoria De Jesus in the first P-Pop Musical in the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino's 'Gregoria Lakambini: A P-Pop Musical.'
Molly Langley takes the stage as Violet Hilton
Molly Langley takes the stage as Violet Hilton in Side Show. Trained at Performers College in the UK, Molly’s theater credits include ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘The Wild Party,’ and most recently ‘RENT’ as Mimi. She is a seasoned international performer with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines. She was recently part of the sixth season of the singing competition ‘The Clash’ where she made it to the final Top 6.
Krystal Kane stars alongside Molly as Daisy Hilton
Krystal Kane stars alongside Molly as Daisy Hilton. Krystal has been doing professional theater since she was 10 years old. Her previous productions include ‘The Sound of Music,’ ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘Once On This Island,' and 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." In 2019, Krystal was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical at the first Philippine Leaf Awards, as well as Best Actress in a Musical Show by Broadwayworld Philippines. Krystal also served as the costumes stylist for The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Lungs,’ ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ ‘Bawat Bonggang Bagay,’ and ‘Tiny Beautiful Things.
It was also recently announced that Krystal will next be playing the role of Fiona in the upcoming 'Shrek The Musical' by NWR Musicals.
Veteran actor, Jon Santos, plays The Boss
THE BOSS
Stepping into the role of The Boss is comedian, host, and TV and film actor Jon Santos. Last seen on stage in The Sandbox Collective’s sold-out runs of ‘Bawat Bonggang Bagay.’ Jon was also seen in productions such as ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Rak of Aegis,’ ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,’ ‘Bituing Walang Ningning,’ and ‘Ako si Josephine.’ Outside of theater, Jon is one of the mainstay judges of RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines.
TERRY CONNOR
Alternating in the role of the press agent and Daisy’s love interest, Terry Conor, are theater leading men Reb Atadero and CJ Navato.
Reb Atadero stars as Terry Connor
Reb Atadero is an award-winning actor, singer, host, voice actor, director, and content creator. He is Gawad Buhay Awardee for his portrayal of Michael in ‘tick, tick... Boom!’ andhas received nominations for his performances in ‘The Graduate,’ ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Lungs,’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ 'Othello,' and 'Grace.'
Beyond the stage, Reb is known for his online educational content, popularizing the catchphrase “BOOM! Now You Know!”, which has since expanded into his very own podcast, ‘BOOM! Now We Know!,’ streaming on Spotify.
CJ Navato stars as Terry Connor
With over 20 years in the industry, CJ Navato has captured the hearts of many on the big screen, TV, and now including theater. He rose to fame as a mainstay in ABS-CBN’s ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ and has since appeared in various shows like ‘Luv U,’ ‘Doc Ricky,’ ‘Pedia,’ and ‘Dirty Linen.’ He was last seen on stage in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim Musical,’ ‘One More Chance The Musical,’ and ‘Charot!’.
BUDDY FOSTER
Sharing the role of the aspiring musician and Violet’s love interest, Buddy Foster, are leading men, Vien King and Tim Pavino.
Vien King stars as Buddy Foster
Marking a versatile and influential decade in the arts, Vien King has earned the title Best Actor (Gawad Buhay, LEAF Awards) for ‘Passion.’ He starred in ‘Rama Hari,’ ‘Tick, Tick...Boom!,’ and most recently in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim Musical.’ He also appeared in MMFF hits, ‘Partners in Crime’ and ‘Love at First Stream.’ Vien has performed internationally with Disney in Concert, and now tours Asia with The Jet Theaters.
Tim Pavino stars as Buddy Foster
Tim Pavino is a BroadwayWorld Awardee and a two-time Aliw Awards winner. Tim’s theater experiences include ‘Miong,’ ‘The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-off,’ ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,’ ‘Matilda,’ and ‘Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.’ He has also performed with prestigious orchestras such as the BYU Chamber Orchestra, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Auburn Symphony Orchestra, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and appeared on The Voice of the Philippines under Team Lea Salonga
JAKE
Theater mainstays Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas alternate in the role of Jake.
Joshua Cabalidas stars as Jake
Joshua Cabiladas is an acclaimed Filipino actor, singer, and improviser with over a decade of experience in theater, film, and music. He was most recently seen in ‘Delia D.,’ as well as in ‘Jepoy and the Magic Circle,’ ‘Lam-Ang,’ ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Himala: Isang Musikal,’ among others. He reprised his role in the film adaptation of ‘Isang Himala,’ and had notable performances in ‘Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3,’ ‘Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap,’ ‘Kapatiran,’ ‘Ploy,’ ‘Florante at Laura,’ and ‘Bula sa Langit.’
Marvin Ong stars as Jake
Singer-songwriter Marvin Ong earned a Gawad Buhay Award for his performance in ‘Sweeney Todd.’ He also received a citation for his role in ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.’ Marvin also played key roles in different productions such as ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,’ ‘Si Juan Tamad, ang Diyablo, at ang Limang Milyong Boto,’ 'The Sound of Music,” and ‘Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.’ As a singer, Marvin has released two albums under Viva Records, the first of which earned him a certified gold
record status and an Aliw Award nomination.
THE ENSEMBLE
Completing the company are the ensemble members who are set to take the stage as the sideshow curiosities. The Sandbox Collective is delighted to introduce the incredible ensemble comprised of: Arion Sanchez, Chan Rabutazo, Fay Castro, Daniel Wesley, Ian Hermogenes, Mikee Baskiñas, Pamela Imperial, Pappel, Raflesia Bravo, Red Nuestro, Reine Paisley, and Rhap Salazar.
(From top left to bottom right) Arion Sanchez, Chan Rabutazo, Fay Castro, Daniel Wesley, Ian Hermogenes, Mikee Baskiñas
(From top left to bottom right) Pamela Imperial, Pappel, Raflesia Bravo, Red Nuestro, Reine Paisley, and Rhap Salazar.
The Sandbox Collective also announced the cast schedule below:
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is directed by The Sandbox Collective’s managing artistic director Toff de Venecia, with Ejay Yatco serving as musical director. Rounding out the artistic team is Mark Dalacat as assistant director and set designer, Carlos Siongco as costume designer, Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer, JM Cabling as choreographer, and Colin Dancel as photographer.
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL opens on July 26, 2025 and will run until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati.
Tickets are available through show buyers and Ticket2Me. Prices start at Php2500.00.
Photos by Colin Dancel.
Cast Schedule from Instagram of The Sandbox Collective.