Effort to fi x flawed story falls short

The Gallery Players production of “Side Show” seems all too timely as a fable of female empowerment.

The Broadway musical, loosely based on the lives of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, affirms the humanity of Depression-era sideshow performers.

Regarding the age-old struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the Hilton sisters stand up and shout: “Me, too!”

Director Ross Shirley smoothly knits together the 21-member ensemble but can’t fix the book problems of the uneven two-act biodrama — even with revisions from the 2014 Broadway revival.

Even so, Eryn Hollobaugh (Violet) and Bailey Maholm

(Daisy) wowed the crowd on opening night Saturday in the Jewish Community Center.

Together, wearing identical dresses and hairstyles, the lead actresses generate convincing chemistry as the sweet sisters struggle for emancipation and face romantic frustrations. Both sing wonderfully. Among their most beguiling moments: “Who Will Love Me as I Am?,” their first-actfinale plaintive plea; and “I Will Never Leave You,” their inspiring final duet of mutual devotion.

Though barely transcending villainous cliche as controlling producer Sir, Mark Schuliger is at his leering best leading “Come Look at the Freaks,” the defiant opening/closing anthem.

Brandon Buchanan earns sympathy as Jake, a sideshow performer who becomes the twins’ protector. Buchanan leads the company with verve in “The Devil You Know,” perhaps the catchiest song in the score by composer Henry Krieger (“Dreamgirls”) and author-lyricist Bill Russell.

Christopher Storer and Sean Felder, respectively, sing well as American talent scout Terry Connor and aspiring performer Buddy Foster, but they struggle in underwritten roles.

Scott Wilson capably but too briefly plays the magician Houdini and the film director Tod Browning (whose “Freaks” co-starred the Hiltons).

Angela Barch and Patty Bennett’s imaginative period costumes help bring to life the eccentric parade — including a Lizard Man (Aaron Wiessing), Bearded Lady (Denae Sullivan) and Dog Boy (Cory Velazco.)

The 13-member orchestra, under the musical direction of conductor Allan Finkelstein, backs the singers with rich sounds.

Gallery Players makes a good case, but “Side Show” remains a flawed oddity — and, for many, probably an acquired taste.