A Hollywood Horror Story

Fringe 2026

A Hollywood Horror Story

Long before Elvira, TV’s first horror host, Vampira, titillated and terrified 1950s America. 18-time award-winning Fringe veteran Ingrid Garner (Eleanor's Story) resurrects the legend behind Hollywood’s most fascinating forgotten icon. Delivered as an episode of “The Vampira Show”, the mercurial life of her creator, Maila Nurmi, unearths in an electrifying multimedia performance.

“Fans of horror, camp, the counter culture and the golden age of Hollywood will all find shivers of delight! ” —Orlando Sentinel

“Garner’s inspirational interpretation of the iconoclast against mid-century domesticity will make you wanna go out and ”terrorize normalcy” yourself!” —Orlando Weekly

SYNOPSIS:
Since her humble beginnings as the daughter of Finnish temperance evangelists, Maila has felt like an alien in post-war America. In an era where women are expected to land the supporting role in a nuclear family, she's determined to become a star in her own right. After years of languishing as a failed actress and housewife, she wins a costume contest at the Bal Caribe masquerade, dressed as the not-yet-named Morticia from The New Yorker’s “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.

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.

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.

Plain Language Description

"A Hollywood Horror Story" is about the woman who invented Vampira, TV's first horror hostess back in the 1950s. 18-time award-winning Fringe performer Ingrid Garner (known for the play "Eleanor's Story") brings this fascinating tale to the stage in a performance that features video recreations of "The Vampira Show".

“Fans of horror, camp, the counter culture and the golden age of Hollywood will all find shivers of delight! ” —Orlando Sentinel

“Garner’s inspirational interpretation of the iconoclast against mid-century domesticity will make you wanna go out and ”terrorize normalcy” yourself!” —Orlando Weekly

SYNOPSIS:
As the daughter of religious Finnish immigrants, Maila feels like a misfit in post-war America. In a time where women are expected to become a housewife, she is determined to become a star. After years of failure in New York and Hollywood, Maila wins the costume contest at a Halloween ball, dressed as Morticia Addams from "The Addams Family”. Little does she know that a young TV producer is watching, and he is in desperate need of a host for his late-night horror show.

A true Cinderella-meets-Frankenstein tale, Maila creates a character inspired by her dark idols: the Evil Queen in “Snow White”, Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard”, and the pin-up models in bondage magazines. During Hollywood’s most important year, Vampira becomes famous parodying 1950s housewives. She also gains many famous friends like James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Liberace, Orson Welles, Elvis Presley and Anthony Perkins.

Now that the world is seeing a return of 1950s conservative ideas that target people who don't fit in, Maila’s punk values and refusal to conform provide a reminder that being yourself is powerful.