Special to the Herald
Join members of Victorian Horror Troupe Phantasmagoria, as you board the Sanford Rivership the Barbara-Lee for its first ever Barbara-Lee Ghost Cruise! Tales of Terror, Haunted Poetry, and seaside Ghosts abound as members of Phantasmagoria weave an evening or afternoon of Halloween storytelling. From Ghostly ships to local tales and legends of Central Florida, haunted works from Edgar Allan Poe and much more. And you just may find out the secrets about the infamous “Ghost of the Barbara-Lee”.
Enjoy a 3-hour cruise on the beautiful St. Johns River while enjoying a four-course meal, drinks and more as these mesmerizing storytellers will weave their ghostly (and oftentimes whimsical) tales for you.
Sunday Dinners Boards 4:30 p.m., cruise 5 to 8 p.m., October 6, 20, & 27, Thursday Lunch Boards at 10:30 a.m., cruise 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., October 10, 17 & 24 and on the day of Halloween itself, special October 31 cruises. Lunch that boards at 10:30 a.m. , cruises 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dinner that boards at 5:30 p.m. and cruises 6 to 9 p.m.
The St Johns Rivership Company / Barbara-Lee, 433 N. Palmetto Ave, Sanford.
For information visit: https://www.stjohnsrivershipco.com/cruises-fares/halloweentheater/
Phone: 321-320-8466
Email: [email protected]
Visit Phantasmagoria at:
www.PhantasmagoriaOrlando.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhantasmagoriaOrlando
X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok: @PhantasOrlando
So tell us more about Phantasmagoria working with the Barbara-Lee Rivership -
This has opened up such a wonderful venue to work with. It all started actually decades ago, when our artistic director of Phantasmagoria produced about 6 years of shows on the former “Rivership Romance”. There was a comedy wedding, yearly ghost cruises (but not at the time Phantasmagoria as it did not exist yet), musicals, etc. When the Rivership closed, those shows were also performed years later in St. Louis, Missouri on a Riverboat there. Then, at the start of 2024 the Barbara-Lee and its new owner reached out after hearing about the shows from years ago, and forged a new relationship! The Comedy Wedding has been running for months, and now Phantasmagoria itself gets to take hold of the ship and weave our Holiday celebrations!
How about a quote from the new owner, Michelle Wyatt -
Of course! “The successful return of the Barbara Lee Wedding this summer has highlighted the benefits of providing a range of entertainment options onboard the dining cruise experience. Our guests enjoy not only a relaxing trip on the river but also fun, family friendly entertainment onboard. The Halloween Cruise experience provides guests of all ages an opportunity to celebrate the season in a climate-controlled area with plush seating and plenty of food and drinks. It’s a wonderful way to include multi-generational family entertainment.”
You are often referred to as “Whimsically Macabre”, what does that mean to you -
It is the wonderful balance of what we do! We are playful, yet eerie all at the same time. One story may “tickle the funny bone” as they say, the next may frighten, and the next may bring you to tears. I think it is that balance that makes the journey so interesting each year.
What is the age range for the shows -
Almost all ages, especially with a show like this on the Rivership. There is a lot of humor and wonderful hosting in these performances. The only caution we ever give to parents is “Phantasmagoria is appropriate for most ages. Parents are advised it is a show that deals with Ghostly Tales” – Now one of those ghostly tales appeals right to the child in all of us, one we remember well that may or may not involve “A Headless Horseman” (hint, hint) – so we think this one will be a blast..
What else can we expect from Phantasmagoria this season -
We have the mainstage Halloween tour through 5 counties, the Christmas/End of year Holiday tour, a Holiday Cabaret (also on the Barbara-Lee), appearances and events, and SO much more, including a “Done in the Style of Phantasmagoria” show up in Syracuse, NY.
