Ghosts of Christmas Past
About the show
Radiotheatre presents its annual telling of yuletide hauntings set in downtown Manhattan. Stories are performed like an old-fashioned radio show, with orchestral music and sound effects.
Escape the blustery winds of winter and enter into the spectral shadows of St. John's Sanctuary, which has sat quietly for 190 years in the heart of historical Greenwich Village. But now, lit by flickering candlelight and bathed in ghostly mist, the Radiotheatre players bring the building to life, hoping to warm your cockles or perhaps chill the marrow in your bones with scary seasonal stories. Different tales are shared at every performance. See the show's website for the complete schedule.
for a previous production "Radiotheatre features fine actors who have clearly studied the style: acting with only their voices, facial expressions, a few hand gestures at most, and supported only by shafts of light that let us see their faces, with meticulously arranged and timed music and sound effects to stretch and heighten the tension. And tension is what drives this particular set of tales...It’s radio acting at its lush best: thrillingly, terrifyingly overblown while at the same time precisely calibrated." Full Review
for a previous production "A unique holiday show that resurrects the art of live Christmas storytelling...Their approach utilizes storytelling, enhanced by a musical score, sound effects, and minimal visuals...I would have enjoyed more of the Dickens since those phantoms are meant to truly terrify...Although I was expecting more chills with the spectral visitors, it was a novel way to experience storytelling and old fashioned entertainment." Full Review
See it if you enjoy ghost stories told in a podcast esque format.
Don't see it if You need your theatre to be mostly visual instead of auditory.
See it if you like "gentle" horror and harmless ghost stories not based on history.
Don't see it if If you're looking for a real scare or truly creepy stories.
See it if looking to relive the glory days of radio theatre, you require a non threatening theatre experience with no real scares or surprises
Don't see it if the 21st century requires you to seek thrills or participation in your theatre experience & not savor the favors of a show well done
See it if you like holiday ghost stories, set in the 8th oldest church in the city.
Don't see it if you don't like radio plays. ie. readings
See it if You rather see than listen to a "radio drama".
Don't see it if If you don't like minimal set and actors act by using only thier voices.
See it if you enjoy atmospheric ghost stories performed by a very talented, likable cast.
Don't see it if you expect a visual spectacle. It is radio theater after all! Theme was a bit narrow - would have liked more variety
See it if you like spooky stories in a possibly spooky environment, spoken by beautiful voices.
Don't see it if you don't like the spoken word without scenery and props.
See it if you like radio broadcast type presentations and have a good imagination
Don't see it if if you prefer an action presentation and are bored by audio type presentations
See it if You like old radio dramas. The actors voices are great, the church is a good venue for something like this as far as acoustics go.
Don't see it if You don't like freezing in a church, or hard pews as seats, and you need movement to be entertained. Some of the stories bored me.
See it if You want unusual first rate radio theater where special sound, lighting, mist all add to your own imagination via masterful actors & stories
Don't see it if You don't like listening to storytelling or not interested in ghost Tales or stupid enough to think that radio theater is old fashioned!
Also This is a series of different ghost stories (4-5) being told on every ... Read more Read less
See it if Like spooky stories, want to be in a 190 yr church experiencing a unique event, want a family night out, want a new experience.
Don't see it if You expect Broadway, a musical, dislike spooky stories or are freaked out by 190 yr churches.
Also It really is a new experience to hear the show as you would've heard i... Read more Read less
See it if you'd enjoy hokey throwback ghost stories that aren't particularly scary, but fun nonetheless.
Don't see it if you require something less quaint in your entertainment experience.
See it if You like actors reading from a script at podium, enjoy listening to radio drama, want to see a little something different, like the idea.
Don't see it if You want really scary stories, or unpredictable tales of the supernatural. The tales themselves, tho well-performed, were dull/led nowhere.
See it if you enjoy scary stories dramatically told. Radiotheater specializes in effective dramatic readings with sound effects, music and lighting.
Don't see it if you are expecting a full theatrical production. Of the 5 stories 4 lack satisfying conclusions although all are well told.
See it if You just love anything in that old fashioned radio format of all "tell" and no "show".
Don't see it if You are irritated by that fake Vincent Price style of portentious ersatz spookiness.
See it if You have imagination
Don't see it if You r with children, I'm sure that you will leave
See it if you appreciate melodramatic radio drama and dramatic readings with minimal visuals delivered expertly by a talented and attractive cast
Don't see it if you prefer musicals, comedy, extravagant sets and costumes or on stage dancing or other action and seek profound intellectual content
See it if You want to hear Christmas ghost stories told in an atmospheric setting. You enjoy radio-style stories.
Don't see it if You want to hear interesting stories with well-developed characters. You want ghost stories w/a surprising, spooky twist at the end.
Also So disappointing!! With the exception of the final story, "The Screami... Read more Read less
See it if you love great stories told by the best storytellers around. Just bring your imagination - they'll do the rest! An NYC treasure.
Don't see it if you need fancy sets, elaborate costumes, etc. They supply the story, great actors, sound effects, etc. You supply your imagination!
Also Dress warmly - the venue can get quite cold. (Or is that the ghosts...... Read more Read less
See it if You like Scarey ghost stories of the Village. Like being in a church. Enjoy listening to interesting radio programs
Don't see it if You don't like sitting on wooden seats. Don't like to close your eyes and visualize. Not keen on spirits that cause fear and darkness
See it if A short play - in the format of a radiologue - is your cup of tea. It's short ( 75 minutes) and fun
Don't see it if You want fancy staging
See it if you enjoy old radio dramas, enjoy tales of the supernatural, appreciate wonderful voices as a handful of actors present many characters.
Don't see it if you only like fully staged and produced theater, you don't like reader's theater shows, if you need your stories to have neat resolutions.
See it if You like storytelling, have a good imagination and miss Garrison Keillor.
Don't see it if You're not into live storytelling where there are no visuals, or you prefer to see the show acted out.
Also This was thoroughly enjoyable. I'm probably dating myself here, but I ... Read more Read less
Cast & Creatives (9)
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