Theater Review: 'Hocus Pocus!' Presented by Summer Orlando

The candle has gone out in Torrington.

Summer Orlando, New England’s premier theater drag entertainer and illusionist, presented her full-length production of “Hocus Pocus Live” at the Warner Theatre’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. There was an early all age friendly performance, followed by an evening performance on Sept. 30.

This one-hour production is based on the popular Disney films Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 and includes some of the most memorable characters and scenes from the Halloween cult classics. The audience got to enjoy the magic and hilarity of “Hocus Pocus” live before your eyes.
The well-attended event included a meet-n-greet with the performers after the show, and a Sanderson sister costume contest for a chance to win prizes.

Summer Orlando gave plenty of energy to the two sold-out audiences that contained many who came dressed in costume. Some were new to the performance and some were repeat patrons who came back to see the Sisters again. Orlando expressed her gratitude to the audiences that came out to see the show and supported local performance art.

When Summer first created this show seven years ago, she had a clear vision about what she wanted to present. “It’s amazing to see how much it has grown, changed and morphed into something stupendous and downright magical.” She invites her fans to stay tuned for the two-act musical version that is coming.

Summer is grateful to the people at Disney “who took a chance on this witch and invited her to be a part of the Hocus Pocus universe.” She also expressed her thanks to the Warner Theatre for embracing and taking a chance on this show.

“To the hardworking staff, the tech crew, the stage crew, and anyone else who helped create the magic. The visually astonishing lighting and sound would not be possible without you.”
Prop builders Kyle and Dane get the credit for a replica candle stand and cauldron only Disney could pull off and prop builder Rhett. J. Martin was responsible for the most screen accurate magic spellbook.

Set designers Taylor and David of Tailored to Fear LLC built a realistic house that transported the audience to Salem. Costumer Oliver Hughes made the most screen accurate Sarah bodice.
Dani Orlando got some well-deserved thanks for being a great moving truck driver as well as the most annoying yet totally adorable little sister both onstage and off.

The cast members had so much fun onstage and the audience ate it up. Summer Orlando owns the role of the witch Winnie Sanderson, the buck-toothed eldest of the sisters, and the most intelligent and powerful, and plays it to the hilt.

Miranda Miranda filled in at the very last minute as Sarah Sanderson,the dim-witted sister and younger witch who uses her siren-like voice to lure in children. Barbra Joan Streetsand took on the role of Mary Sanderson, the middle witch who can smell out children, and was hysterical. If Orlando had not mentioned this fact in her closing remarks, we never would have suspected that she was literally studying her script between scenes.

Cameron Krauth played Maximilian "Max" Dennison, a sarcastic and smart aleck virgin teenager from Los Angeles who has recently moved to Salem. Dani Orlando played Dani, Max's spoiled 8-year-old sister who loves Halloween.

Stephen Michelsson played Billy, a zombie. Theresa Moscato made possible a special rare appearance from the high school teacher with no backstory Miss Olin.

The audience definitely enjoyed some classic songs from “Hocus Pocus 1” and 2 as well as fun Halloween hits the whole family will love.

This is just the beginning of my season so if you missed these two shows, you can catch the Sanderson Sisters somewhere this October in the New England Area.

Want to book Hocus Pocus Live! at your theater or venue? They have opened bookings for the 2024 season, so get your spot in early because this show books up fast. Comes with an incredibly magical set, talented all live singing cast and replica props and costumes. It is the closest thing you will see to the real thing.

One patron posted their thoughts about the production. “The most absolutely amazing and awesome show ever! I'm a senior, my daughter is 30 something and my granddaughter is 6 and we all enjoyed it so very much. We were singing and dancing and snapping our fingers to the music Thank you for the most entertaining evening.”