The musical about showbiz freaks and misfits, with conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton center-stage, is by composer Henry Krieger and lyricist-librettist Bill Russell.

This production is produced and directed by Ryan Mekenian. Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

Side Show features Carey McCray and Jordan Kai Burnett as Daisy and Violet Hilton, with Nina Ablan, Dane Agostinis, Daniel Berlin, Kevin Bradley, Jr., Nathan Brisby, Todd Briscoe, Jordan Brodsky, Rycki Callan-Goodwin, Keith Hammeran, Courtney Hammond, Shea Hess, Joshua Isaacs, Jill Kerley, Laura London, Nick Madson, Ryan Makely, Yvette Newsome, Drake Reporto, Kevin Santos, Matthew Schmidt, Scott Tanzer, Sam Tedaldi and Janie Wallace.

"The musical follows these unique sisters from their humble beginnings among the 'freaks' of the sideshow to their rise of fame in the Vaudeville circuit and eventually Hollywood," according to production notes. "Along the way they face challenges of love, identity, discrimination and isolation."

A song that was cut from the original production has been reinstated: "She's Gone" comes at the end of Act Two. "Bill Russell recommended we try the song, and it works very nicely," director Mekenian told Playbill.com.

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The creative team consists of Billy Griffin (choreographer), Mike Pettry (musical director), Andy Yanni (set design), David Mendizabal (costume design) and Dan Scully (lighting design).

Director Mekenian served as production assistant for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks in 2003 and will be assisting legendary director Harold Prince on his upcoming LoveMusik aimed for Broadway. Also in New York, Mekenian served as an associate producer for a concert of Snoopy! the Musical starring Sutton Foster.

Despite its short Broadway run, Side Show has become a cult hit (partly due to its cast album) and has been seen in regional theatres.

The 1997-98 staging was nominated for Tony Awards in the categories Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, Best Actress in a Musical (Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley).

Side Show will play Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2 at 8 PM and Sept. 2 and 3 at 2 PM at Off-Broadway's American Theatre of Actors, 314 W. 54th Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) in Manhattan. The 140-space was once home to the musicals Urinetown (prior to Broadway) and Bare.

Tickets are priced at $18 for general admission and $15 for student tickets. For more information contact [email protected].