Last night, I embarked on a journey across the St. John’s River, leaving Sanford behind for the hauntingly enchanting realm of Deland’s Athens Theater. The reason for my pilgrimage? None other than the mesmerizing Phantasmagoria’s XIV Tales of The Undead! Having been a devoted fan of this critically acclaimed Victorian Horror Troupe for nearly a decade, I marveled at their ability to breathe new life into the world of spooky storytelling year after year, each performance leaving me on the edge of my seat, just like the very first time.
Prior to the show, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sanford’s own John DiDonna, the Troop Leader, who also serves as the Program Chair & Assistant Artistic Director at Valencia College’s Theater program. I couldn’t resist asking him for the ultimate tip on choosing the best seat in the house. His response? While he assured me there’s no such thing as a “bad seat” in the house, he highly recommended the front row balcony seating. And let me tell you, it lived up to every promise!
Phantasmagoria’s Victorian troop transported me to a world filled with macabre tales of deathly graveyard encounters, eerie visitations from restless spirits, and heart-wrenching ballads of being buried alive. As the stories unfolded, I found myself perched on the edge of my seat, utterly captivated.
In an age of 4k animations and special effects in film, witnessing theater in its classical form, enhanced only by the subtle touch of today’s technology, was a breath of fresh air. Phantasmagoria’s performance hit every note that a great play should. It was a captivating blend of whimsy, sorrow, and spine-tingling eeriness that had me hooked from start to finish.
The audience, too, played a vital role in elevating the spectacle. Their collective gasps, sighs, and even the occasional burst of laughter added a communal layer to the experience, making it all the more immersive.
I’m hard-pressed to think of another theatrical troupe that weaves the threads of ancient storytelling into a modern, spine-tingling tapestry quite like Phantasmagoria. At the affordable price of $30 per ticket, the show was an absolute steal, worth every penny and then some.
This performance reaffirmed my faith that the timeless art of theater is far from dead. I eagerly anticipate securing my tickets for their upcoming Christmas-inspired performances, where they’ll once again cast their dark spell with a collection of horrifying holiday-themed tales. Phantasmagoria’s XIV Tales of The Undead at Athens Theater was a night to remember, and it’s a testament to the enduring power of live performance and storytelling.
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