Douch Bags brings testosterone fueled date rage to the stage at Fringe.

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Douchbags, Produced and Directed by Adam McCabe steps inside the cringe-worthy lives of three American males, exploring the inner-workings of the 21st century douchebag in their native
habitat. A shocking commentary on modern relationships. Three guys meet at a bar. One has just lost his high school sweetheart to a neanderthal that looks like a shark. One guy, dressed like a yuppie convinces the jilted youth that his life has just started, that he can play the field. He has a line for every woman and is convinced he can sleep with them all. Another guy is the moral sounding board of reason. He talks of the virtue of finding on woman to wake up with every day.

Much of the dialog is filled with rage filled hate for the women who wronged them. The yuppie claims he slept with the barmaid in the bathroom, and the jilted youth considers him a idol while the other guy is disgusted. It turns out that the moral sounding board hasn’t slept with his partner in a very long time. The Yuppie had just lost his mom. All three of them are emotional wrecks without solid heart felt relationships. As the three guys get ready to go their separate ways, they realize that they don’t even know each others names.

Since my life is less than perfect, the show resonated with me. I heard that women in the audience were less pleased. It is clear the show is taking chances when there are two polar opposite reactions.  I loved the gritty offensiveness of the show.

Venue: Yellow in the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL

Length: 60 Min

Tickets: $10 (Disc: FA|FV)

Rating: 18 & Up – Language, Offensive Humor, Adult Themes

Remaining show times:

May 24,  10:45pm – 11:45pm

May 26,  8:30pm – 9:30pm

May 28,  11:59 pm – 1pm

May 29,  7:00pm – 8:00pm

Phantasmagoria brings horrific tales to the Orlando Fringe.

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Phantasmagoria: Wicked Little Tales fills the Fringe Orange venue at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL) with horrific whimsical tales of horror, Phantastical dance, music, stage combat, large scale puppetry and storytelling. Before a complete run through of the show, actors practiced a sword fight that they had just learned the day before. The swords were real, so there was a true there a of danger as they parried.  Other actors on the stage had to be warned to stand clear. Though rehearsed at quarter speed, the adrenaline still pumps an they had to b coached to slow down.

The show commence with a grand flair. The whole acting troop crouched around the ring master as he enticed the audience to listen in with a grand flourish. Once a story begins it must be told until it is finished. The tales come to life and the horrors pose a real threat to the tellers. The first tale was one of my favorites, The Tell Tale Heart, by Edgar Allen Poe. To recreate the hideous beating heart, the entire (2 beat their palms on the stage floor creating a deafening thump.

Another memory tale was of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Two dancers acted as the horse with grace and style. Actors and actresses would more into the audience during the telling of a tale, and you never knew if a sinister laugh might ring behind you, sending chills down your spine.

Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein brought to life a giant skeletal figure that threatened it’s creator. The creature demanded a bride and when that hope was gone the monster turned on his creator and master. Love lost is the most horrific motivator for murder.

It was good to see this at in troupe in such a large venue. With so many act of and actresses, they easily utilize every inch of the deep space. If you have a taste for the macabre then Phantasmagoria is the show for you.

Phantasmagoria shows are on May 21, 22, 28 and 29.

Tickets are $11.

Dickens by Candlelight rehearsal.

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This Dickens by Candlelight rehearsal took place at a gorgeous home in Belle Isle Florida. I almost wanted to sketch outside because large illuminated candy canes lined the walkway to the front door and every eave was lined with icicle lights. Only white lights illuminated the house which made the place feel like a refined crystal palace bed and breakfast.

Having been performed since
1997 at locations such as the the Dr. Phillips Center on Lake Ivanhoe,
the Dr. Phillips Victorian Mansion, the Whispering Heaven Tea Room, and
in private homes, it is once again returning to the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare
Center, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida. The interactive show providing
theater-goers with a delightfully unique opportunity to experience A
Christmas Carol the way it was intended to be told: as a Ghost Story.

The tale cleverly envelops the audience as the characters move through
and around the guests who are seated at treat-laden tables. John
DiDonna, Morgan Russell, and Monica Long Tamborello,
three talented Orlando actors, portray all of the roles and artfully
transform themselves from character to character and stave to stave. Seeing the tale told in a private home was perfect. John as the giddy transformed Scrooge hugged my bald head in delight. Since the show is small and intimate, you will find yourself very much a part of the story.

The best way to witness visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past,
Present and Future is while enjoying homemade cookies and a pot of
freshly-brewed hot tea. The cast and crew is often available before the
show for a steaming cup of wassail and caroling. Opening Night this year
includes a full dinner before the show. For tickets or more
information, call 407-222-7669; or click DickensbyCandlelight@gmail.com to send an email request.
To order by credit card, check out Orlando at Play.

Shows are December 11 – December 22.

SPECIAL OPENING NIGHT MEAL AND PERFORMANCE

Fri, December 11

Crachit Christmas Feast begins at 6:45 pm

Performance begins at 8:00 pm

Tickets $75

TRADITIONAL  DICKENS BY CANDLELIGHT PERFORMANCES

Sat, December 12, 8:00 pm 

Sun, December 13, 2:30pm  

Fri, December 18, 8:00 pm

Sat, December 19, 4:00 & 8:00 pm

Sun, December 20, 2:30 pm

Mon, December 21, 8:00 pm

Tue, December 22, 8:00 pm

All tickets for Traditional Performances $35

Group rates available

No refunds or exchanges

All performances at the

Lowndes Shakespeare Center

in the Patron’s Room

at Loch Haven Park

812 East Rollins Street

Orlando, Florida

Phantasmagoria VI “The Darkness Returns” to the Orlando Shakespere Theater.

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I went to sketch the final dress rehearsal of “The Darkness Returns” at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center
812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida. Having just returned from 

sold out performances in Orlando and
Atlanta with the touring show “Wicked Little Tales”, Phantasmagoria
Orlando/DiDonna Productions is presenting Phantasmagoria  VI
“The Darkness Returns” to celebrate the 2015 Halloween Season and its
sixth year in Central Florida!

The show will thunder on to the Mandell Stage with all new stories of terror! Live performers,
“Phantastical” dance, explosive stage combat, large scale puppetry,
aerial performance and haunting storytelling combine to create a
tapestry of macabre and whimsical horror!

The evocative troupe of storytellers, dancers, and chorus embarked on their newest journeys through the literary tales of
terror, as well as horrific folk stories, legends, and myths from around
the world. “For 100 years they have not been seen except in fleeting
glances, and now as we enter a new century the power and magic of the
stories return. . . with very dangerous consequences.”

I have had the rare opportunity to watch this show mature over time. This newest incarnation opens with stark black and white images of World War I battle scenes projected on the back wall. The horrors of the tales told are more deeply routed in the horrors of man’s inhumanity to man. The first tale involved a man’s obsessive desire to kill a cat. With the deed done, the cat hung stiff and lifeless from a tree, managing to stay completely still while the tree limbs danced in a breeze. A magician performed for the jaded cast of storytellers but even they were amazed by what seemed like a predictable trick that alluded reason. Their stories are themselves magical because the tales become tangibly alive and viscerally dangerous.

When the cast hits it’s stride, there is a certain whimsical delight as they re-tell the tales of horror. Each character has a back story which has developed over time, but the show holds up as being self contained. Members of the cast often mysteriously appear in the audience and you might be startled as they whisper in your ear. There was a new Russian inspired dance routine in which all the female cast held hands and then each twirled in succession until they formed a tight knit, cross armed line. The aerialists stretched and contorted themselves with a grace causing an awed silence in the theater. There is no better way to warm up to the horrors and chills of Halloween than to see Phantasmagoria “The Darkness Returns”.

PERFORMANCE DATES:
(All Performances begin at 8pm, with VIP show immediately following main stage show)
Oct 10 (Sat), Oct 11 (Sun)
Oct 16 (Fri), Oct 17 (Sat), Oct 18 (Sun) Oct 19 (Mon)
Oct 23 (Fri), Oct 24 (Sat), Oct 25 (Sun), Oct 26 (Mon)
Oct 30 (Fri), Oct 31 (Sat)

(SUGGESTED AGES: Phantasmagoria contains horror of the literary kind,
but is still frightening. Suggested ages are 8 and up with parental
guidance. With all respect, infants, babies and younger children may not
be admitted)

TICKETS:
Student/Senior/Military Admission – $15.00
Student/Senior/Military VIP Admission – $25.00
General admission – $25.00
General VIP Admission – $35.00

(VIP Admission includes Pick of Seating, VIP post show performance,
Take home Souvenir, Download of Halloween night story, Photo Op with
cast and glass of wine or soft drink)
Reserve (for will call cash only at door) 407-328-9005
Credit card orders visit www.OrlandoAtPlay.com

Phantasmagoria gets even better with age.

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Phantasmagoria Orlando and DiDonna Productions, present the first ever “Tour Version” of the Critically Acclaimed Victorian Horror Troupe, featuring the “BEST of” the Last Five Years of Phantasmagoria.

Phantasmagoria “Wicked Little Tales” will have a limited engagement
weekend of only 3 performances at the Mandell Theater of the John and
Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, July 24th, 25th, and 26th before
leaving for its first ever Atlanta Performances. Performances are
Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8:00pm.

I went to a dress rehearsal in the Mandell Theater. John told me that the theater had sat quiet for several months with only the ghost light illuminating center stage. A popular theater superstition, every theater has a ghost, and a ghost light is meant to appease the ghosts. The theater had been struck by lightning and the theater was black when Phantasmagoria arrived. At that first rehearsal, the speakers died for no apparent reason. As the actors warmed up on stage, one said, “That ghost is a jerk.” Another replied, “Yes, especially with the speakers.”

At this dress rehearsal the ghosts gave the performers free reign. During the pre-show the entire cast stood on stage frozen while video of past performances was projected behind them. Each character was introduced in turn in mysterious oozing credits. Two macabre clowns performed among the frozen cast until one was stabbed by accident which animated the troupe as they moved towards the blood.. The ring master standing on a box shouted out with glorious aplomb that the show had begun.  In the opening tale, the cast moved towards the audience menacingly, even climbing over chairs to get face to face. The fourth wall was broken and I was unnerved as the beautiful Aurora (Kim Hough) almost touched my neck as if she were ready to take my life.

Edger Allen Poe‘s “The Raven” started off the tales of horror. A beautiful animation of black wings in flight made a perfect back drop for an actress whose out stretched arms and bird like mannerisms complimented the motion. Another tale from a far continent had haunting hints of voodoo and impending death. “Captain Murderer” was told with a fiendish sense of humor. John DiDonna, playing the Captain played the part over the top which offered much needed laughter. This delightful humor saturated the entire show. The actors are so seasoned that they understand that there is a tongue in cheek humor in even the darkest tale. Other tales included “Varney the Vampire” and “The Feast of Blood”.

The young Pandora (Gina Markarova) naively asked to hear the tale of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”. One a tale is begun it must be finished. Alice (Sara Costello) had to be protected from the beast and then she defended herself with a shield and sword. As in Jumangi, the fierce Jabberwocky burst to life threatening the lives of everyone in the cast. Puppetry brought the creature to life and everyone defended themselves with knives and swords. At this rehearsal the fight was run at a quarter speed and still the sharp blades seemed to fly far too close to flesh. This touring edition of Phantasmagoria combines humor and horror in a steampunk, goth production that shines.

Ticket prices are $15.00 for
students and $20.00 for general admission with a $5.00 per ticket add on for VIP guests. Phantasmagoria “Wicked Little Tales” remaining shows are July 25-26 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida) it then goes to Atlanta Georgia on July 31 to August 2.

Bikini Ad Space turned heads at Fringe.

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Katie Thayer, an attractive local actress and comedian, came up with the idea of Bikini Ad Space at the Orlando International Fringe Festival several years ago. The idea is pure genius and simple. She wears a sexy bikini and you can body paint your message on any of her prime body parts. Her lower shins, and her upper or lower arms, front and back go for $5 each. $10 gets prime exposure on her upper calves, front and back, and her belly. You can “get cheeky” by purchasing ad space on both butt cheeks for $15. Of course the most expensive ad space is the $20 chest ad which can nestle in her cleavage.

We bumped into Katie on the first day of the Fringe Sketch Tour and arranged to sketch her the next day. She works inside the Shakespeare Theater lobby which is always crowded with people buying tickets and waiting for shows. She had her leg propped up on a table covered with show flyer’s. The layer of flyer’s was an inch thick which meant you often had to dig down to find a flyer for the show you were interested in. Usually clients had the opportunity to paint their ad on Katy’s flesh. In this rare instance Katy was painting her own ad to get people to vote for Bikini Ad Space as the best “Bring Your Own Venue” in The Daily City Audience Choice Awards. I don’t know if she won that honor.

Cootie Catcher in the red venue had purchased the prime cleavage ad space while Valence had invested in belly ad space. I saw valance, an introspective dance performance that inspected touch in human interactions, but I never saw Cootie Catcher. My sketch protege sketched me sketching Katy and I’m sure photos were shot which made it a very “Meta” performance. The day before, Katy had left her kit of brushed behind and it vanished. Luckily she found a loose brush in the bottom of her bag, but it was a rather blunt brush which meant she couldn’t add any refined touches. I offered her one of my brushes but she was too proud to take it. I hope that the ads she sold will help pay for a new set of brushes because quality brushes are expensive. Her palette was a clear plastic plate. Friends stopped to ask her advice on the best shows to see. Katy had seen tons of shows, so she was a great resource.

7(+1) Samurai is high energy fun at this year’s Orlando Fringe.

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Actor David Gaines thanked patrons standing in line for his solo show, 7(+1) Samurai. His show is in one of the largest venues which is a good thing because word of mouth will result in even larger lines. On his own, David acts out the movie 7 Samurai, playing all the parts himself. The result is at times mysterious, and often hilarious. His impression of a frightened farmer running through his field is worth the price of admission alone.

Sound effects play an integral part in every scene and he created them all with his voice from the flump of a falling body to the swipp, chunck, jigga jigga jigga of an arrow slicing through the air and hitting its target.  In many ways it felt like the movie was being projected quickly like in the silent film era. The masks were used to represent the villain and then the quiet and stoic hero samurai who helped the villagers learn how to defend themselves.

As an artist, I had to glance down at my sketch sometimes, and when I looked up, David had become another character. Fight sequences might find him changing character 7 times or more every minute. It was a non-stop fun whirlwind that didn’t stop until his open hand with radiating fingers representing the setting sun,

lowered behind his extended arm and the lights faded to black.

This high energy romp is one of my top picks from this year’s Fringe Festival. It is a show that must be seen to be believed.

7(+1) Samurai

Only one show remaining: Sunday 5/24 3:45pm to 4:45pm

Tickets are $10 (plus a service charge).

Rating: 7+

Run time: 60 minutes.

Venue: Orange (The Margison Theater inside the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center)

Phantasmagoria V “Death Comes for All” in Orlando

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This is the fifth year that creator and director John DiDonna has brought classic tales of horror to Orlando in the form of a Victorian Steam punk Circus troupe called Phantasmagoria. Each year has progressed the story of this troupe’s back story and interpersonal drama. For many millennia they have had to tell the stories as a matter of life and death. Once a story is started it must be finished. This year in the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center‘s Mandell theater, platformed walkways are set up behind the audience seating. This allows the cast to circulate around and behind audience members. It is a theater in the round and you have a front row seat to experience the horror first hand.

 Since this was a rehearsal, there was a fight call that went over the fight direction by Bill Warriner. There is one spectacular sword fight that features three combatants. Even at quarter speed, the fight seemed dangerous as the three blades flashed in the stage lights. Being so close to the action you might find yourself leaning back in your chair for fear of being slashed. Megan who was juggling all the sound and lighting cues was able to act out all the staging so the lighting designer by Hatem Habashi could set the lighting cues. She playfully stomped on projected beetles that scurried on the floor.

Phantasmagoria presets tales of terror from diverse authors such as Lewis Carroll’s “Hunting of the Snark”, Charles Dickens “Captain Murderer” and many others including horrific folk tales, legends and myths from around the world!

In the tight intimate space, you will find the cast often inches from you.  During one tale, Mercury (Kaitlin Elizabeth Baxter) was behind me laughing maniacally and then gasping in horror. Having the cast so close ensures that even a sketch artist can get sucked into the drama that unfolds. The classic Edgar Allen Poe story, “The Pit and the Pendulum” had Leon (Joseph Josh Geoghagan) lying in the grasp of much of the cast. They held him aloft and then embraced him as the straps held him down in the story. Dana Mott had created wonderful projections that had rats scurrying on the floor while the shadow of the pendulum arched gracefully downward. Poe was also represented in an abridged telling of “The Tell Tale Heart” which is one of my favorite stories of horror insanity and suspense.

An Indian horror story had  Seraphina (Serafina Schiano) return from the dead as a demonic creature with multiple arms and flowing red drapery as she took vengeance on her three self centered brothers. Exotic Indian dances were beautifully choreographed by Mila Makarova and Dion Leonhard.  This show is a great way to gear up for Halloween.

Mark Your Calendar!

WHAT: “PHANTASMAGORIA V–“Death Comes for All” 

WHEN:  Oct 10th – 31st 2014

Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening performances.

Special Monday performances Oct 20th and 27th.

Halloween performance October 31st.

All evening performances at 8:30pm (Box opens at 7:50pm/Doors at 8:15pm)

WHERE: The Mandell Theatre, John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center

Loch Haven Park, Orlando, FL (Corner of 1792 and Princeton)

TICKETS: General Admission $20.00 / Student and Senior $15.00

(VIP Tickets available – $25 for all performances leading up to Halloween / $30 Halloween night. Includes drink/special gift/photo op with cast/reserved seating/Post show performance)

A Phantasmagoria Photoshoot Fires off the Halloween Horror

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On Sunday September 7th, I went to a photographers studio in Winter Park to sketch a Phantasmagoria photo shoot. The studio space was impressive with an upper balcony that allowed Kristen Wheeler to take photos of the cast from above. John DiDonna explained to the cast that they needed to express resolve and resolution as they faced certain death. Josh Geohagen shouted back, “Like in Toy Story 3?!” Everyone laughed, but even toys can express a solemn resolve before they face their fate.

Phantasmagoria features a unique and spectacular blend of storytelling, dance, large scale
puppetry and aerial work. It has been wowing critics and
audiences alike since its premier in 2010. Created and envisioned by
playwright, director John DiDonna, each production offers new stories
taken from the diverse centuries old literature of horror and the
macabre!

The first official Phantasmagoria photo shoot of the 2014 Season had Kristen Wheeler the official photographer taking our picks, with help from Ryan McKenzie the company’s artist,  and a
videographer and photographer there filming the process for articles.
This was a perfect storm of creativity. Images will be released soon from this two hour
shoot including all poster shots, publicity shots, and shots done
specifically for a Phantasmagoria themed Art Gallery show running in October. 

The photo studio was incredibly crowded with the whole cast on hand. Kristen shot the cast in small groups for use in show posters and promotional materials. The rest of the cast would wait on the sidelines when they weren’t in the shot.  Kristen seemed to love coaching the actors. as she said, “It is easy to teach an actor how to model, but it is impossible to teach a model how to act. Dion Leonhard was close to tears for every photo. She would shut her eyes and rest between shots. This cast is always in character.

Mark Your Calendar! As we roll into October, Phantasmagoria seems to be everywhere. On September 27th, the steam punk group will make two appearances at Artlando from 11am to 5pm,  happening in Lock Haven park. the $5 Artlando event features, live performances by Orlando Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Florida Community Arts, Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Phantasmagoria, Emotions Dance Company, Orlando Science Center and more! The Orlando Museum of Art is FREE to all attendees. There will be an outdoor art walk, live painting, installations and more! Beer and cocktails will be provided by The Hammered Lamb. Food from The Food Truck Bazaar. They will also appear at Lady Raven’s Second Annual Cotillion in the Audubon Park Garden District (3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, Florida) the same day starting at 7pm. The and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center!  Now
entering its fourth year, Orlando’s original Victorian Steam
punk Circus troupe offers Macabre and Delicious Halloween tricks and
treats. On October 3-11 artwork featuring The Art and Horror of Phantasmagoria will be featured at Valencia’s East Campus in the Anita S. Wooton Gallery. My sketches from past shows will be on display, so come to the opening and say hi.

Waiting in the Fringe Line

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The John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center has an odd tower that is two stories high and the room is about eight foot square. A compass is incorporated into the floor tiles and a large banner is usually suspended from the ceiling.

Between shows during the Fringe festival there was an art installation consisting of hula hoops and cardboard tubes covered in strips of fabric. Everything was suspended on strings to create a mobile. I made my way inside so that I could sketch a Fringe line as it formed. The line was for, Bless Me Father For I Have Danced and it snaked from the theater entrance out the door with half the people having to wait outside. It is fun to see friends as they meet and hug. Half the fun of the Fringe is meeting people in line and comparing notes about what amazing shows HAVE to be seen. I decided what shows I should sketch based on tips from strangers I met in line. All the reviews in town couldn’t beat good word of mouth.

This is a rare case of a sketch I didn’t have time to finish. My wife Terry texted from another line suggesting I join her to see the show she was waiting for. Often we saw shows together but sometimes we went our own ways. I could only go to the Fringe every other day because of work commitments and on those days Terry was on her own and she would let me know what she had seen that I had to sketch. It was like having a field corespondent scouting out the talent. I don’t know who created this kinetic art, and once the Fringe was over, it was replaced by a table and chairs.