STEVE DUNKELBERGER: WOW TIMES TWO >>>

I chatted a bit about Capital Playhouse's Side Show in the print edition of the Weekly Volcano. But I'll amplify it a bit here.

Not only has the show managed to pull top talent from New York to play the leads and direct the musical about conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, during the twilight of vaudeville, but it has a solid roster of local actors worth noting.

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 that has a warm spot for the girls. His powerful voice, nuanced performance that ranges from rabid savage to tender lion is incredible.

After this gig, Simmons will be playing the role of Jim in Big River at Seattle's Taproot Theatre later this year in what likely will be the hit of that theater's season if his performance here is any indication of things to come.

[Capital Playhouse, through April 5, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, $22-$33, 612 E. Fourth Ave., downtown Olympia. 360.943.2744, www.capitalplayhouse.com]