Community and Creativity (Pandora Productions)
4 days ago
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Holiday: An Immersive Crafting Experience Written by Jeffrey James Keyes Directed by Gil Reyes
Review by Erin Hargan
Entire contents are copyright @ 2025 by Erin Hargan. All rights reserved.
Pandora Productions’ Holiday: An Immersive Crafting Experience by Jeffrey James Keyes offers something unique for Louisville theatergoers — a cozy, hands-on mix of performance, creativity, and connection.
As guests entered the space they were greeted as participants, and not just observers, by the performers Dakota (Allie Fireel) and Riley (Vic Leon). The set felt like a cozy and cheerful living room, with a sofa, fireplace, and tables set with crafting materials while holiday music played in the background.
There were brief moments of traditional performance, including Dakota’s emotional reunion with their mother—played with warmth and depth by Karole Spangler—after years apart. It was moving to watch Dakota wrestle with forgiveness and the pain of their shared past, while the audience shared in the joy of their reconnection, even in the face of further tragedy. To reveal more about this scene would diminish the impact of this part of the production.
Riley, played by Vic Leon, shared a poem about where we are now in our personal histories, and challenged the community to embrace life, keep moving forward, and to affirm that we are all special and unique. This provided the people in the audience the opportunity to pause and reflect on their own experiences and values.
Throughout the evening and even during the performances guests were encouraged to continue creating crafts, sharing laughs, and creating community with others in attendance. The performers also validated that some may have difficulty during the holiday season, offering a reminder that creativity and connection could help alleviate some of the pain people can feel during this period. This was more than just an evening of entertainment.
Holiday captures the heart of the season-creativity, inclusion, and togetherness. With this charming and interactive production, Pandora Productions once again proves that theater can be as much about the experience as the performance itself.
Holiday: An Immersive Crafting Experience Pandora Productions
November 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 @ 7:30 pm November 8, 9, 16 @ 2:30 pm November 16 @5:30 pm
Henry Clay Theatre
604 S 3rd St
Louisville, KY 40202
