Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas

Posted on by Thor

I went to sketch a rehearsal for Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Masked, I sat alone in the audience . Many of the cast wore their masks before the full run through of the show.

From the cast: “To protect the health and safety of our audience, cast and crew—especially going into this holiday season—the Phantasmagoria troupe prefers that you wear a mask while in attendance for Christmas Carol. Thank you and the very best of the season to you!”

The Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center no longer requires masks, So I am left wondering how many of the patrons will respect the wishes of the artists.

We are definitely living in dark times with a new, more transmissible variant of the virus invading the world, but the heart in this time honored tale can still melt even the hardest heart. I found myself getting choked up as scrooge chose kindness over profits and was accepted by family. The joy of celebrating the holidays being recreated on the stage had me wiping away tears as I felt a warm glow of hope for the future. For another year Pam and I have chosen not to travel to visit family to avoid spreading the virus. Some family are unvaccinated and have no intention of protecting themselves and others. Perhaps this is why the warmth of the message stung so hard.

There is one more performance on December 4, 2021 at 8 PM at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S. Magnolia Avenue Orlando, FL 32801). Tickers start at $30. Feel the horror and warmth of this holiday season. Should you miss tonight’s performance, you can also catch them next weekend in Sanford, and the 22 and 23 at Athens Theater in Deland Florida.

Phantasmagoria: Through a Christmas Darkly

Posted on by Thor

Pam and I went to a performance of Phantasmagoria: Through a Christmas Darkly at The Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Seminole State College. This wasn’t you usual Christmas fair with 3 ghosts of Christmas, it was much darker. Students form Seminole State got to work with the actors of this critically acclaimed acting troupe. The Victorian Horror Troupe recently celebrated their 10th year of production. I have had the pleasure of watching this company grow through the years. They used to perform each Halloween but have since grown to include the main stage show, a mini touring group and appearances at events throughout the year. They have grown from Central Florida to Saint Louis Missouri, and Atlanta Georgia.

The premise is simple, members of the troupe must pull a story from a box, and once a story is started it must be finished. Some stories are so sinister that just telling in itself can be dangerous. This performance was tight and polished, with each character seeming very comfortable in their role. Hawthorn (Cory Volence) was trying to begin a tale but Alteza (Camille Vela) was overacting her part as a dark sinister apparition with a black cloak. Every time Hawthorn tried to speak she let out an unearthly wail. This offered a hilarious reprieve as Hawthorn finally had to drag her off stage under one arm. Each character in turn had their moment to shine as they shared the horrors of the season.

The show culminated in a horrific retelling  of the Krampus myth. I saw children get out of their seats and stand on tip toe to get a better view of the demon best known for putting coal in stockings and much worse for those that misbehave.

Be sure to catch Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol – Orlando Performances at The Shakes (812 E Rollins Street Orlando Fl.) Performances are on December 13, 14 and 16th at 8pm each night. This show offers a uniquely dark adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale “A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas”.

Tickets: – Adults – $25.00 / Student/Senior/Military – $15.00
Also availability for Will Call CASH ONLY at the door by calling the Phantasmagoria Hotline: (407) 476-5121 and leave a voice mail.

Additional Performances on Tour
DELAND: Athens Theater – December 18th
MOUNT DORA: Mount Dora Community Center – December 19th
OCALA: Reilly Arts Center – December 20th
SANFORD: Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center – Dec 21st
EUSTIS: Historical State Theater – December 27th and 28th

Phantasmagoria’s Christmas Carol

Posted on by Thor

 Phantasmagoria is proud to present One of the greatest and most enduring Ghost Stories ever told! Victorian Troupe Phantasmagoria returns to
the stage with its own unique adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic
holiday tale “A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas”.

This
critically acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe will bring its
signature tapestry of movement, dance, puppetry, projections, music and
storytelling to the stage as one of the most famous Ghost Stories of all
times comes alive! A true tale of the Past, Present and Future – with
the glory of redemption!

Dickens’ wonderful tableau will come to
life with Phantasmagoria’s own unique aesthetic and performance style in
a brand new adaptation of the classic work. Last year’s performances
SOLD OUT fast so get your tickets now! A show good for ALL ages!

The dress rehearsal I sketched had all the bravado I have come to expect from a Phantasmagoria performance. Jacob Marley was presented as a skeleton puppet wrapped in chains. A unique head harness linked the skeleton’s head movements to the movements of the handler’s head. The ghost of Christmas past was a floating blue head with a streamer. The ghost of Christmas yet to come was the largest and most menacing enshrouded in a dark hood. with bony fingers. John DiDonna as Ebeneezer Scrooge brought plenty of energy to the part which he has performed for years. He steps into the crotchety old mans skin with ease.

Only one show date remains, Dec 15, 2018 at 8pm
John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803). Ticket prices are…

Student/Senior/Military: $15.00 regular / $40.00 VIP

Adult: $25.00 regular / $30.00 VIP

(VIP
includes early entry to pick seating, Christmas beverage (no alcohol),
Take home souvenir, and POST show performance including Poetry, Dance,
song, Magic and more!

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 23rd and 24th.

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 23, 2017

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM – $32 to run. Run Run Santa One-Mile. 

Calvary Chapel Viera
(map)

(2852 Fellowship Place, Orlando, Fl.) A fast, festive one-mile course that’s perfect for everyone from elite
runners to families looking to celebrate the holidays together. All
participants receive a full Santa Claus suit to wear during the race
with registration. http://runrunsanta.com

2PM and 7:30 PM – $18-$22. Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center (201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford, Fl.) This critically acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe weaves movement,
dance, puppetry, projections, music and storytelling in this classic
ghost tale. 


8 PM to Midnight – Free. A Wasteland Christmas Party. Gods and Monsters
(5421 International Drive, Orlando, FL.) Christmas party with classic Christmas movies playing on the big
screens, cosplay mutant cage dancers, and special holiday drinks and
treats for everyone.

Sunday December 24, 2017.

4 PM to 10 PM – Free. Pagan Pajama Party. VAULT 5421 (5421 International Dr, Orlando, Florida 32819.) Show up in your pajamas, and get 20% off
your bar tab and purchases in the store! Enjoy Holiday drinks and
cookies with the Krampus! We’ll be playing Krampus movies on the big
screens and have a naughty elf dancing in the cage too!
We realize that most Pagans’ idea of pajamas is going skyclad, but
please do wear SOME sort of legal apparel to this party.

 6 PM to 8 PM – $7. Bad Santa and His Ten Pints of Truth (Eugene Snowden). Will’s Pub (1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, FL.) Christmas Eve show with free gumbo.

5 PM –  Free. Blues Jam hosted by Doc Williamson. 

The Alley (114 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, FL.) Bring an instrument and join in the fun.