Description
Long before Elvira, TV’s first horror host, Vampira, titillated and terrified 1950s America.
Now, 20-time award-winning fringe ghoul Ingrid Garner resurrects this fascinating forgotten icon, and the mercurial life of her creator, Maila Nurmi, in an electrifying multimedia performance!
Join us for an evening of Hollywood legend followed by a B-Movie screening!
“Fans of horror, camp, the counter culture and the golden age of Hollywood will all find shivers of delight! ” — Orlando Sentinel
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A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY
Written & Performed by Ingrid Garner
SYNOPSIS
(60min) (Recommended Ages 18+)
Since her humble beginnings as the daughter of Finnish temperance evangelists, Maila Nurmi felt like an alien in post-war America. In an era where women were expected to land the supporting role in a nuclear family, she was determined to become a star in her own right. After years of languishing as a failed actress and housewife, she wins the costume contest at the “Bal Caribe” masquerade, dressed as Morticia from “The Addams Family” cartoons. Little does she know that a young TV producer in attendance has been desperately searching for a host for his late-night horror films. Thrilled by the gig, but unwilling to steal Charles Addams character, she concocts a new persona.
A true Cinderella-meets-Frankenstein tale, she stitches together a creature from her dark idols: the Evil Queen in “Snow White”, Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” and the pin-up models from BDSM magazines. During Hollywood’s most pivotal year, Vampira satirizes the ideals of 50s femininity while orbited by the likes of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Liberace, Orson Welles, Elvis Presley and Anthony Perkins.
While Maila’s fame was short lived, Vampira has been endlessly exhumed by each new generation of misfits she inspired. From the Beatniks and Bohemians to, later, the Goth, Punk, and queer communities. Today, as the corset of mid-century conservatism returns to stifle those who defy conformity, Maila’s punk parable screams a thrilling reminder about the power of individuality and rebellion.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Burlesque, Sexual Content, Death, Eating Disorders, Swearing, Quick and extremely vague reference to sexual assault, brief flashing lights and loud sounds.
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REVIEWS:
“Garner’s inspirational interpretation of the iconoclast against mid-century domesticity will make you wanna go out and ”terrorize normalcy” yourself.” — Orlando Weekly
“Top-Tier” — Orlando Theatre Review
“Spectacular” — Eat More Art Vegas
★★★★★ “Oh my god, what an amazing show!” —League of Cincy Theaters
"Dazzling in every regard" —Alberta Youth Theatre Collective
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STALK THE SHOW!
IG: @ahollywoodhorrorstory
Lineup
Ingrid Garner
INGRID GARNER is a twenty-time award-winning actor/playwright based in Los Angel-ish. For over a decade, she has toured the international Fringe theatre circuit across the UK, US, Australia and Canada with “Eleanor’s Story”, an adaptation of her grandmother’s acclaimed WWII memoir. The performance has earned “Best Theatre” accolades at the world’s five largest theatre festivals, and a wealth of 5-star reviews. In 2026 she premiered a biographical show about Vampira called “A Hollywood Horror Story” which has since enjoyed sold-out, award-winning runs across the US and Canada. When not on the road, she works for Arts Orange County’s Jail Project, teaching Creative Writing to transitional aged youth, women, and incarcerated military veterans. She also serves as an “on-scream” correspondent for the award-winning news, culture, and lifestyle website Halloween Every Night.
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