ORLANDO — While the holidays are known for their sentimental, warm & fuzzy entertainment, is there an unwritten law that Christmas shows can’t also be a bit scary?
Phantasmagoria is about to test that theory.
Phantasmagoria, the Victorian troupe of actors, singers, dancers and acrobats, are known for performing creepy shows around Halloween, which recreate classic tales of terror from the vaults of great literature. Phantasmagoria is also known for its past holiday (and spooky/funny) versions of Charles DIckens’ A Christmas Carol.
This year, it’s something new: Phantasmagoria’s An Even More Haunted Victorian Christmas!, which will have shows across Central Florida throughout December.
“Gather round the fire as critically acclaimed Victorian Performance Troupe Phantasmagoria returns with their all new collection of haunted (and haunting) tales for the holiday season,” the troop notes. The performers are promising to provide “Christmas eve terrors, whimsical spirits and much more (to) keep alive the tradition of telling Ghost Stories on the Eve of the Holidays – from classic Victorian tales to all original haunted stories of the holidays.”
It is, Phantasmagoria noted, a “delightfully spirited way to celebrate the year end festivities, all in Phantasmagoria’s unique performance style!”
Created by actor, playwright, stage director and Valencia College professor John DiDonna, this latest Phantasmagoria show is promising to put audiences into the Christmas spirit in the proper way. So, will it?
What is Phantasmagoria’s Show Celebrating Christmas?
Fully intrigued, Freeline Media reached out to John DiDonna to learn more about this holiday spooktacular.
Freeline Media: Ghost stories are usually seen as ideal for Halloween, but there are actually quite a few books filled with Christmas ghost stories. What do you think is the appeal of this mix?
John DiDonna: Ghost stories appeal at ALL times of the year, but at Christmas time, the world is especially nostalgic for times gone by. Memories of those with us and those long gone enter our hearts and minds, and home and hearth become a centerpiece. And there is nothing as wonderful as gathering around that hearth, with a mug of something warm in hand, and listening to Ghost stories.
FM: Where did you find the holiday ghost stories to use in the production? Are there any themes running through them?
JD: Redemption is a huge theme of stories such as A Christmas Carol which we have done in years past, and The Canterville Ghost which has become a mainstay of ours for the last few years. But also that wonderful mix of sad but lovely memories, many of our stories hold those within. Some of the stories we have done in years past in other forms, such as “Horror”, a chilling tale set on Christmas Eve and “Frozen Charlotte” which we did many years ago in a mainstage production. The search for new stories takes place over the year before, and this year we have not one but two all original Christmas Tales written only for Phantasmagoria – including a brand new “Tale of the Krampus.”
FM: It’s been said that during winter solstice, the longest night of the year, people often gathered to tell tall tales, ghost stories included. Does this production follow in that tradition?
JD: The running idea is receiving ghost stories for Christmas, that we then all bring to wonderful life on stage! So yes, that idea of a Phamily gathering together on the Eve of the Holidays is strong and sure. Those gathering close with loved ones, ready to tell the tales. And we believe that is why the spirits are there too! With all the light and wonder of the holidays, they are sure to want to join with us and be a part of that, if only for a moment.
FM: Christmas time isn’t often associated with “scary” ghosts. Does this production challenge that notion?
JD: Oh it is actually! Very much! There are some ghost stories written for Christmas in the 1800s that are terrifying! And yes, some of ours are. The stories range from comedic, to heartwarming, to absolutely terrifying.
FM: Who is new to the Phantasmagoria cast, and are there other surprises in store for veteran audience members?
JD: Every year we have a wonderful mix of members who have always been with us, and brand new members or returning members. Our troupe is made up of so many “generations” of Phantasmagoria, from people who have been here for all 15 years, all the way up to those who have their first show with us! This year for Christmas we have two brand new members – “Psyche” and “Broelain”, as well as returning members such as “Amethyst”, “Percival” and others. A few others you have seen, but not in a mainstage show as of yet. So it is this wonderful mix that keeps things alive and energized for us!
I think that the surprises for the audience this year will be not only the complete retelling of stories they may recognize, but the brand new ones we have discovered, as well as the continuing commitment to original stories that we bring to life on the stage!
Where Can I See Phantasmagoria’s Christmas Show?
Phantasmagoria’s upcoming Holiday show, An Even More Haunted Victorian Christmas, will feature a new collection of ghostly and whimsically macabre holiday stories, with performances throughout December in Orlando, Leesburg, Ocala, Sanford and Deland. Performances dates are:
- The Reilly Arts Center in Ocala on Sunday, Dec. 8 for two shows
- The Melon Patch Theatre in Leesburg on Dec. 13-14
- The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford on Dec. 19
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando on Dec. 20-21
- The Athens Theatre in Deland on Dec. 22 for two shows.
To reserve tickets or get more information visit www.PhantasmagoriaOrlando.com or check out Phantasmagoria’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhantasmagoriaOrlando.
What is Phantasmagoria?
Two words: Victorian Horror.
For every Halloween season since 2009, the Phantasmagoria troupe has been entertaining local audiences through acrobatics, music, dance, giant puppets, and, most importantly, by recreating classic tales of terror from the vaults of legendary horror writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and many others. Each year, there are new stories — not to mention new adventures for the circus-like performers themselves, and also sometimes new actors as well.
If you’ve lived in Central Florida over the past decade, that word Phantasmagoria needs no introduction. The troupe has been performing around Halloween, at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, and more recently, around Christmas with their unique version of A Christmas Carol.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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