'Hocus Pocus Live' at Waterbury's Palace Theater

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Summer Orlando, New England’s premier theater drag entertainer and illusionist, presented her two-act musical production of “Hocus Pocus Live” at Waterbury's Palace Theater on Wednesday evening to a packed house.

The latest production is a full-length theatrical musical parody based on the Disney film “Hocus Pocus” and includes the memorable characters and scenes from the beloved 31-year-old Halloween cult classic. This original production comes from the zany and creative mind of Orlando. “If you think you’ve seen Hocus Pocus, you’ve never seen it like this,” she said.

The show’s creator and director, who was seen in Disney’s "Hocus Pocus 2," has said, “Hocus Pocus is a cult classic Disney phenomenon. It’s the go-to Halloween movie for an entire generation and has a huge LGBTQIA+ following thanks to the divine Bette Midler; it's campy and it's fun. Add some of our special brand of magic and you’ve got yourself the number one Halloween show to see this year.”

The Waterbury audience enjoyed the magic and hilarity and many groups of fans waited in line after the performance to posed for photos with the performers.

The cast members had so much fun on and off the Palace stage, and the Hocus Pocus fans ate it up. This all new musical version includes impressive character look-alikes, live singing, plenty of comedy, magic, and some surprises.

Summer Orlando stars in the parody that she first created seven years ago. She plays to the hilt the role of the witch Winnie Sanderson, the buck-toothed eldest of the sisters and the most intelligent and powerful. Orlando gives plenty of energy to this parody of one of her all-time favorite films and at the curtain call explained to the audience how thrilled she was to return to the stage where WAMS performs.

Miranda Miranda is a delight in the role of Sarah Sanderson, the beautiful, dim-witted sister and younger witch who has a siren-like voice. Barbra Joan Streetsand shines in the role of Mary Sanderson, the very funny witch who can smell out children.

Cameron Krauth plays Maximilian "Max" Dennison, a smart aleck teenager from Los Angeles who has recently moved to Salem. Dani Orlando is adorable Danielle "Dani" Dennison, Max's spoiled 8-year-old sister who loves Halloween. Jane Koz plays Allison Watts, Max's love interest and classmate. Benji McClary and Alexis Dascher are also in the cast.

Stephen Michelsson plays the spooky Billy, a zombie. Theresa Moscato brings out all of the comedy in the role of teacher Miss Olin, who brings us up to speed on the plot holes.

One patron had put her name into a special cauldron in the lobby, hoping to be chosen to be part of the show. This lucky girl jumped at the chance to take part in some magic and share the stage with the Sanderson Sisters.

The added stagecraft of flying added just the right amount of magic to the performance. The flying was facilitated by ZFX Flying and not just the witches got to fly.

The audience definitely enjoyed some classic songs from “Hocus Pocus” as well as other familiar musical numbers. I recognized the tune of “I Put a Spell on You,” “I Want Candy,” and “Thriller,” and some turned into an audience sing-along.

This production is currently in its seventh year of sold-out performances and has already reached over 5,000 people. It has been given the stamp of approval by five original cast members from the film including Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson), Jordan Redmond (original Angel), and Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson), who says Orlando as Winifred looks just like her. The small print is that the performers do not represent any licensed characters. “This show is a parody and tribute and in no way affiliated to The Walt Disney Company in any way.”

This parody will appeal to the legions of fans of “Hocus Pocus.” As someone not familiar with the plot of the original film, I missed some of the details, but I found it fun nevertheless.

The witches will take over The witches will fly above the stage at the Palace with the help of the same flying company that flies the cast of “Wicked.”

There is only two more chances to catch "Hocus Pocus Live." The witches will take over Garde Arts Center on Nov. 1 and 2 and the performances will also include flying characters.