Ingrid Garner resurrects Vampira, TV’s first horror host, in A Hollywood Horror Story running May 13-24, 2026 at Orlando Fringe Festival. Pink Venue at Orlando Shakes, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando hosts the 60-minute multimedia performance.
Before Elvira dominated horror hosting, Maila Nurmi created Vampira and titillated 1950s America with her ghoulish character. The 18-time award-winning actor and writer delivers the show as an episode of The Vampira Show, unearthing the mercurial life behind Hollywood’s most fascinating forgotten icon.
Maila grew up as the daughter of Finnish temperance evangelists, feeling alien in post-war America. While women were expected to become housewives, she chased stardom. After years languishing as failed actress and housewife, she won a costume contest at Bal Caribe masquerade dressed as not-yet-named Morticia from The New Yorker’s Addams Family cartoons.
A young TV producer desperately seeking a horror film host spotted her at the contest and became transfixed by this glamor ghoul. She stitched together a creature from dark idols: the Evil Queen from Snow White, Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard, and pin-up models from BDSM magazines.
During Hollywood’s most pivotal year, Vampira satirized 1950s femininity ideals while orbiting James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Liberace, Orson Welles, Elvis Presley, and Anthony Perkins. Her punk parable reminds audiences about the power of individuality and rebellion.
Orlando Sentinel praised the shivers of delight for fans of horror, camp, counter culture, and golden age Hollywood. Orlando Weekly called Garner’s interpretation inspirational. Orlando Theatre Review named it a top tier pick emphasizing the inclusive beauty of her legacy.
Seven showtimes run throughout the festival: Wednesday, May 13 at 8:40 PM; Saturday, May 16 at 10:05 PM; Sunday, May 17 at 5:20 PM with six-dollar tickets; Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 PM; Thursday, May 21 at 7:05 PM; Saturday, May 23 at 1:45 PM; Sunday, May 24 at 9:00 PM.
Tickets fifteen dollars plus ten-dollar Fringe Button available at orlandofringe.org. Fringe Button required for all festival performances, valid entire festival duration. Recommended ages 18 and up.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Miami-born. Lifelong pro wrestling fanatic. Entrenched in the 'zine scene since '84, covering Hardcore, Punk, and Metal. D&D player since '83, VS. System player since '05, 27 years in the comic book and gaming biz, and still obsessed with pop culture, Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, and Die-Cast Metal Super Robots. I can talk comics, bad movies, and anime all day.
