It's Official! Bid Farewell to the Freaks - SIDE SHOW Sets Broadway Closing Date

Broadway's Side Show will end its run at the St. James Theatre on Sunday, January 4, 2015, the show's producers announced today. Discussions are currently underway for Side Show to make its London debut.

The completely reimagined revival began previews on October 28 and officially opened on November 17, 2014.

Producer Darren Bagert told the New York Times, "We were persuaded to post a notice prematurely, in the middle of a holiday season ticket upswing. If there weren't another show clawing at the door, I think we'd still be at the theater."

The Times reports that the new musical SOMETHING ROTTEN! is eyeing the St. James after SIDE SHOW's closing.

Bagert also told the Times that he does not blame Jujamcyn for pushing the show's closure due to a stop clause in the contract, a standard that is simply "part of business on Broadway."

Directed by Bill Condon, the musical includes new music by multiple Grammy Award winner and Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Tony Award nominee Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), with book and lyrics by Tony Award nomineeBill Russell and additional book material by Bill Condon, and choreography by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia).

The cast of Side Show features Erin Davie and Emily Padgett, who reprise their leading roles as Violet and Daisy Hilton, as well as Matthew Hydzik as Buddy Foster, Robert Joy as Sir, Ryan Silverman as Terry Connor, and David St. Louis as Jake.

The ensemble of Side Show characters includes Brandon Bieber as the 3 Legged Man, Matthew Patrick Davis as the Geek, Charity Angel Dawson as the Fortune Teller, Lauren Elder as the Venus di Milo, Javier Ignacio as the Dog Boy, Jordanna James as the World's Tiniest Woman, Kelvin Moon Loh as the Half-Man Half-Woman, Barrett Martin as the Human Pin Cushion, Don Richard as the Reptile Man,Blair Ross as the Bearded Lady, Hannah Shankman as the Tattoo Girl, Josh Walker as the World's Tiniest Man, with Brandon Andrus, Con O'Shea-Creal, Derek Hanson, Michaeljon Slinger and DeLaney Westfall.

Side Show is inspired by the remarkable true story of the Hilton twins, Daisy and Violet, who were legends in their time and the highest paid performers on the vaudeville circuit. Side Show is their heartwarming search for first love and acceptance amidst the spectacle of fame and scrutiny under the spotlight.

Side Show is being produced by Darren Bagert, Martin Massman, Jayne Baron Sherman, Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino, Universal Stage Productions, Joined at the Hip Productions, CJ E&M/Mike Coolik, Shadowcatcher Entertainment, Michael M. Kaiser, Jim Kierstead, Marc David Levine, Catherine & Fred Adler, Bredeweg & Carlberg, Clear Channel Spectacolor, Curtis Forsythe, Gloken, HIGHBROW & Nahem, Nobile Lehner Shea Productions, Pretty Freaks, Weatherby & Fishman Theatrical, Matthew Masten, and Jujamcyn Theaters in association with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts & La Jolla Playhouse.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus