“This is the best Halloween attraction in New England… When day turns to dusk, the fires are lit around Old Sturbridge Village to welcome the time of day when the “veil between the living and the spectral world thins.” With ghost stories and fire dancers, mystics and acrobatics, the village gives itself over to an older, eerier version of Halloween.”— The Providence Journal, October 31, 2024
“What if a vampire hysteria gripped the region just as a circus troupe from Eastern Europe was setting up to perform in the neighborhood? It's not the circus coming to town, it's Cyrkus Vampyr, a talented but eerie troupe. Two mysterious ringmasters lead the way, with Cyrkus Vampyr troupe members located at different points outside. Magicians, fire throwers, acrobats and aerial dancers perform in early 19th-century clothes and costumes, as dusk turns to darkness. Visitors who dare can make their own way to the various show areas But who are these performers, really? Cyrkus Vampyr is only partially mythical, and is "grounded" in historical research Griffith has done.” —Worcester Magazine, September 13, 2023
“After sold-out performances last October, Cyrkus Vampyr returns to Old Sturbridge Village October 6th-29th with wild new acts and demoniacal new twists. A mysterious troupe of performers appear the night after the sudden death of a young girl in a rural New England village. As the night grows darker, they take over the village with performances in the most unexpected of places. Their acts defy gravity. Their voices hypnotize. Their motives are unclear...”— Broadwayworld, October 6, 2023
“A strange circus overtakes a sleepy 19th century New England village with questionable motives… Cyrkus Vampyr features acrobats, aerialists, fire performers, singers, medical curiosities, comedy, tragedy and everything in between.” —Everything Immersive, October 2, 2023
“A journey through more than 300 years of local women's history… The passionate characters in Pathway to the Ballot Box are inspired by the challenges, triumphs, fears, and accomplishments of eight women who lived in New Paltz, NY over three centuries, leading to the first vote cast by a woman in New Paltz.” —Broadway World, August, 10, 2021
“P.J. Griffith found some tell-tale parallels with the 1840s and now when adapting "Nevermore — The Fantastic Terrors of Edgar Allan Poe”. For example, Poe (1809-49) wrote "The Masque of the Red Death" in 1842 about a heedless prince who throws a masquerade party indoors while a ghastly plague, the red death, is taking place outside. "The plague gets inside," said Griffith, noting some spine-tingling lessons for these 2020 COVID-19 pandemic times. Still, the professional cast of six actors for "Nevermore" will not only be outside but also socially distanced from the audience and wearing masks. A medical team will be consulting on every element of rehearsal and production.” —Worcester Telegram & Gazette, October 18, 2020
“Characters from Poe’s tales of horror and deception appeared when guests least expected it, seducing them into the world of obsession, passion and revenge… stories play out simultaneously in six different locations around the villlage.” —WGBY Connecting Point, October 29, 2020
“NEVERMORE— The Fantastic Terrors of Edgar Allan Poe is an adventurous and terrifying outdoor theatrical experience featuring characters drawn from the short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. The experience opened on Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 to a sold-out, socially-distanced, mask-wearing audience at Old Sturbridge Village in central Massachusetts. The sold-out run continues through Halloween night.” —Broadway World, October 27, 2020
“Keep an eye on the windows as you walk through Old Sturbridge Village during its Halloween event this year, you might just catch the glimpse of something eerie… stories play out simultaneously in six different locations around the Village and tell familiar tales of horror, revenge, obsession and deception. Performances will be repeated throughout the night in pulsating rhythm - just like Poe’s tell-tale, beating heart - ensuring that visitors can see and experience them all.” —Mass Live, October 21, 2020
“A similarly sly device in the collection is the KGB’s so-called “Kiss of Death” gun, which appears to be a lipstick tube but actually contains a 0.177-inch bullet and firing mechanism... And P.J. Griffith, an immersive experiences producer who helped organize the auction, points to something that seems even more mundane as one of his favorite items on the list. The device appears to be a wooden branch, or log, but is in fact rigged with cameras and recording devices that can, presumably, document secret meetings held in a park, churchyard, or the middle of nowhere. These disguised accessories were hardly meant for fun and games, but others in the catalogue are more outwardly sinister, reminders of the Cold War’s human toll and not just its spy-movie swashbuckling.”— Atlas Obscura, October 29, 2020
“On Feb. 13, Julien’s will be auctioning some very different kinds of memorabilia. The items on sale in “The Cold War Relics Auction,” in person and online, include a half-ton bust of Lenin and miniature cameras hidden in everything from belts to Marlboro cigarette packs… The USSR’s secret police agency was known by a series of names before it became the KGB in 1954—an acronym for its Russian name, Committee for State Security. From the beginning, it was adept at bugging things: Microphones went into wristwatches, wallets, ashtrays, belts, dinner plates and ballpoint pens, all of which are represented in the auction.” — The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
“What makes collecting in this area so challenging is that KGB techniques were considered secret forever. Even faulty and obsolete technology had to be destroyed by law, or as dictated by internal regulation. Urbaitis managed to buy some materials at auction, or in trade with other collectors, but exhibit-worthy pieces often came directly from former KGB officers and their families… We tend to overlook the innovation involved in political subterfuge. “We have to think about the genius of the people that created these items and how ahead of their time they were, how futuristic they were in their ability to collect information. And, of course, it’s still happening today with cyber espionage.” —Art & Object, February 8, 2021
“Ever the masters of an ebullient surprise, Los Angeles' Julien's Auctions has been consigned the collection of the former "KGB Espionage Museum" — chiefly the objects pulled together over decades by Lithuanian collector Julius Urbaitis, which he had housed in New York… The Soviet-era miniaturization work on the brass pinky ring is arguably the collection's finest example of the effects of the East-bloc tech crunch and the Cold War trade embargoes. Leaving the garish, highly non-clandestine design aside, it was only possible to fire off one shot — repeat, one shot — with the thing, and the hand bearing it had to remain resolutely still. Nevertheless, in its way, the ring remains a superb, almost anthropological expression of homeland optimism for the KGB's daunting mission of helping Russia and the satellite states catch up with the rest of the world.” —Forbes, February 12, 2021
“Estimates for the items range from a few hundred dollars to $12,000, which is the top estimate for a rare Soviet version of the Enigma code cipher machine known as the Fialka. A stone bust of Vladimir Lenin is expected to reach between $5,000 and $7,000... Julien's is also putting under the hammer other memorabilia from the Cold War, including a high school report card for Che Guevara, a signed 1958 letter from Fidel Castro discussing plans to take Havana, and items related to the US-Soviet space race.” — Barron’s, October 26, 2020
"This year, the original story of a Yankee peddler passing through the village, inviting attendees to not only come along for the ride, but hop in the carriage and take the reins, returns with some exciting additions throughout January and February. These characters strengths lie in the inherent knowledge they have in the village and time period as well as the improvisational skills necessary in their day-to-day activities... The experience is submersive and interactive." —Worcester Magazine, January 25, 2018
"I couldn’t picture the kids paying attention for the full two hours... As the adventure went on, however, I could indeed picture it. Over those two hours, we helped make candles, wield a two-man saw and grind up sage for cooking. We were yelled at by the school marm, fascinated by the blacksmith, explored the general store, and petted a horse. And they loved it. By the time it was over and we were on our way to the gift shop, both John and Beulah were gushing about how awesome the place was and how they couldn’t wait to come back. Yep, I couldn’t have pictured it going this well." —The Herald News, February 4, 2018
"Set in a rural New England village in 1838, audience members had the chance to be characters in Midwinter Mischief: A Yankee Peddler by P.J. Griffith, of New York, at Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday. OSV interpreters were based on 30 real-life characters from the 1830s who could have crossed paths in Sturbridge, including Sturbridge physician Ephraim Lyon, Sturbridge stagecoach driver Silas Marsh Freeman, Sturbridge wheelwright Ezekiel Mayo in 1793, and Sturbridge farmer’s daughter Beulah Freeman." —The Sturbridge Villager, February 2, 2018
“A hybrid somewhere in the realm of a murder mystery dinner, an escape room and an educational walking tour of the museum’s grounds, the theatrical presentation will be taking place over the next three weekends... Visitors will wander along the trail deep into the village where they meet with costumed storytellers, artisans and villagers who tell tall tales of the peddler’s adventures and schemes.” —Worcester Telegram & Gazette, February 2, 2017
"It’s kind of a hunt through the village for this peddler, and the audience keeps missing him by a step and the characters there (at each stop) are talking directly to the audience about what’s going on... it’s taking it out of this really important history (feel) and making it a half-educational and half-fun, crazy, mischievous experience." —The New Haven Register, February 1, 2017
“An exciting new theatrical experience that the Village ... an innovative, new way to experience New England's premier living history museum... This new experience combines theatrical storytelling, historical interpretation and period dining to create an interactive and intimate journey through the Village.” —Broadway World, January 19, 2017
Opening Day Audience Reactions, February, 4, 2017
“Haunted by History — A Phantasmagoria is a wonderful ‘treat’ with a number of clever theatrical ‘tricks’ included in the half-hour presentation, running several times a day throughout the Halloween season. The show, written and directed by P.J. Griffith, is extremely well constructed and executed, featuring four actors who ‘bring back from the dead’ several historically significant figures in the immersive experience... There is a clever use of light, mist and shadows used throughout the show... As each character reveals a crucial piece of pivotal, historically significant detail (sometimes flattering, sometimes not) an image is presented on the ceiling of the Center Meetinghouse. Another wonderful plot device used by Griffith... All four actors have fine tuned their performances and are totally in sync with Griffith’s material. The show enlightens, informs, and most of all, entertains.” —Worcester Telegram & Gazette, October 18, 2017
“For those of you who relish in the spooky glory of haunted houses, séance and the spirit world, then this theatrical phantasmagoria was designed with you in mind. ‘Haunted by History’ walks you through the Old Sturbridge Village, where you'll conjure up your own set of New England spirits of the past. Follow Dr. Lantornia, who will beckon you to a séance where you'll encounter several 19th century ghosts with ‘unfinished business.’ Written by theater vet P.J. Griffith (‘American Idiot’, ‘Sleep No More’), the cast is brimming with NYC talent.” —Stage Agent, October 21, 2017
"A séance, encountering the ghosts of several New England figures who died in the 19th century with unfinished business... we find out all is not as it seems and Dr. Lantornia has ulterior motives for his Phantasmagoria... The cast of HAUNTED BY HISTORY consists of four gifted actors from NYC." —Broadway World, October 3, 2017
“It had an appropriately creepy start. I actually learned quite a bit about the "ghosts" that were portrayed. The description recommends it for children at least 14, but that may be because of attention span; the ghosts had a lot to say! I wouldn't think it was too scary for a 10-year-old, but they might lose interest. I overheard a pair of junior-high-age students discussing it afterwards; they liked it. 4.5/5 Stars.” —Goldstar Events, October 23, 2017
“In Fairy Tale Farm at Old Sturbridge Village Aug. 12-29, some well known characters step out of their homes for the first time since the pandemic and are faced with real-world, grown-up issues. Among them, Pinocchio is a former child star coming to terms with his life as a “real boy,” while recently awakened Beauty (formerly sleeping) is a princess-turned-Instagram star. Hansel is determined to get in shape post-pandemic, but Gretel would prefer to stay in quarantine.” — Worcester Telegram & Gazette, August 8, 2021
“Fairy Tale Farm was designed to be Coachella for little kids and their patents at Old Sturbridge Village… an “immersive sketch comedy show”… fairy tale characters that people have seen a million times dealing with their issues and keepin’ it real… It’s a piece about connecting,” — WWLP “Mass Appeal” on NBC/The CW, July 29, 2021
“Fairytale seekers will walk the Village to various buildings whose outdoor surroundings become the stage for each performance. Characters step out of their “homes” for the first time since the pandemic and are faced with real-world, grown-up issues… Pinocchio is a former child star coming to terms with his life as a “real boy”… Recently awakened Sleeping Beauty (formerly sleeping) is a princess-turned-Instagram star at the Freeman Farm… Little Red’s once-devoured grandmother, Granny Lil, is back and feisty as ever.”— Mass Live, August 9, 2021
“Each character steps out of their home for the first time in a while... Map in hand, guests have the freedom to explore as the sun goes down on this enchanted farm. Hilarity ensues as characters we thought we've known since childhood finally decide to get real.” — Broadway World, July 14, 2021