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; a woman who defied the social norms of the 1950’s, created the icon that is Vampira, and paved the way for the countercultures that so many of us celebrate, in an electrifying live multimedia performance!
Join Maila Nurmi (played by Ingrid Garner) in her boudoir, as she tells the tale of the creation and legacy of Vampira. Come learn all about how she shocked American audiences as one of the first Horror Hosts of late night television, and her relationships with some of Hollywoods greatest stars, such as Bella Lugosi, Orson Wells, Marlon Brando, and James Dean. Don’t miss this tell all!
This live performance will be followed by a B-Movie screening of the original, 1960 version of, Little Shop of Horrors.
“Fans of horror, camp, the counter culture and the golden age of Hollywood will all find shivers of delight! ” — Orlando Sentinel
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.
Link to Friday the 23rd show: https://events.humanitix.com/a-hollywood-horror-story
____________________________________________________________________
A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY
Written & Performed by Ingrid Garner
(60min) (Recommended Ages 18+)
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________
STALK THE SHOW!
IG: @ahollywoodhorrorstory
Lineup
Ingid 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.
Little Shop of Horrors
(1960) (72 min) A clumsy young man working at an impoverished flower shop discovers that the strange plant he has been nurturing has an insatiable appetite for blood, forcing him to kill to feed it. Director: Roger Corman Writers: Charles B. Griffith, Roger Corman Stars: Jonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
![EXPOSED [storytelling]](https://images.humanitix.com/i/94a54d27-6afb-4d4e-961a-33e9f9bc6703.jpg@responsive-500.avif)
