Springing from the traditions of the fine arts, ‘The Phantastic Theater’ presentations introduce young people to the transformative power of imagination though engaging and educational interdisciplinary works and remind adults of the time when they first experienced the arts.
MISSION: This unique presentation system combines fine arts education with live performance, workshops and individual presentation. We provide opportunities for fine arts educators and performers to share with young people and their families the impact the arts have had on their lives, and how they began their lives in the arts. Teaching elements are firmly embedded in our presentations, both specifically and intrinsically. We reach out to diverse audiences and under-served communities.
PRODUCTIONS
THE PHANTASTIC THEATER 10/26/25!
Press to see highlights video!
PROGRAM
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THE PHANTASTIC THEATER ’24!
First Doctor Kaufman Introduced the concert.
Featured Guest Artist Will Schrantz spoke of his life in music and delivered a workshop with an intrepid young musician.
Matthew Geoke and Ellen Bronningen performed Eugene O’Brien’s TWO INVENTIONS for violin and cello.
The ‘Illustrious Jason Luft’ led The Mark Twain Middle School Band.
Will Schrantz performed the World Premiere of the new version of Kaufman’s environmental work: MUSIC FROM EARTH – for alto saxophone, video and soundscape created from hundreds of natural and orchestral sounds.
Flutist extraordinaire Kim O’Hare Bonacorsa joined as The Sorceress Kizhaana in Kaufman’s halloween adaptation of Donald Erb’s ‘Souvenir’!
THE MARK O’DONNELL THEATER
We are Honored and Grateful to be Hosted by this Historic and Beautiful Theater
Thanks to The Phantastic Theater resident TECH WIZARD
SAÚL ULERIO
without whose support and genius much of this work may not be possible
THE PHANTASTIC THEATER ’23
Sunday, October 29th – The Mark O’Donnell Theater
. Featured: A new production of Doctor Kaufman’s Classical Music Play, DANCING NIGHT HAWK The Brilliant Alexander Davis was on board as special guest artist for this event!
The Wizard Bazhoosh (Davis) conjured a spell! (i.e. my adaptation of Donald Erb’s ‘Souvenir’) NEW: The Mark Twain Street Band – directed by Jason Luft! SRO.
The Phantastic Theater ‘22 – The Mark O’Donnell Theater
“Studies in presenting new music and art to people of all ages all at once.”
See/hear Doctor Kaufman’s ‘classical music play’ – The Phantastic Zoo
press poster.
See/hear Josh Sinton perform/improvise to Kaufman’s film:
‘A Story of a Tardigrade’
See/hear Paul Groh perform music based on Nature
“When Turtles Fly!”
The Phantastic Theater: Halloween Edition 10/31/21
Here:
THE PHANTASTIC THEATER : Halloween Edition World Premiere! 2019
Sunday, October 27th, 1PM
THE MARK O’DONNELL THEATER
VISIT:
HALLOWEEN EDITION PAGE!
VISIT:
THE CHIRON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT 2018
THE CHIRON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT 2017
FOR YEARS PRODUCTIONS BEGAN WITH ONE OF DOCTOR KAUFMAN’S ‘CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS’
In these works, brilliant phantastical stories infused with educational elements are told via a full range of media combined into one experience. Symphonic music pours through speakers as colorful illustrative art streams on screen. Puppetry, live performance by world class musicians, voice acting and dance work together to deliver Doctor Kaufman’s unique mission to share the power of imagination as realized in the fine arts. They are also enthralling and fun. Doctor Kaufman thinks of these works as ‘music delivery devices’.
Past productions include:
THE MUSICAL FOREST: This work teaches music fundamentals in the context of imaginative fantasy. Squiggle T. Buglet adventures through The Musical Forest learning music words and earning ‘seed pods’ for music fundamentals. She takes these pods to ‘The Mysterious Cave of Doctor Soundartus’ and makes music on his magic music wall. This piece has been performed by Doctor Kaufman and his daughter, Sophie Kaufman, on many occasions from workshops, chamber settings and with full orchestra. More HERE:
THE PHANTASTIC ZOO – tells the story of two young children, Mary and Tim, on their way to a field trip to the zoo. Tim loves fantasy creatures and looks forward to seeing the alligators because his friend, Little Roger, had said dragons were just giant alligators from long ago. He imagines alligators turning into dragons. Mary thinks back upon the loss of their parents a year past, and is glad to see Tim joyful and excited. They reach the zoo and see exhibits (set pieces) – Elephants, Exotic Birds and Lions. Here Doctor Kaufman’s soundscore combines the sounds of these actual creatures in his orchestrations. When they reach the alligators they are greeted with a sign that the tank is under repair. There are no alligators. They sit on a bench as Tim cries and Mary consoles him.
Here, the story takes a magical turn, as the Wizard Zitthoona arrives, introduces himself and ushers the children into his Phantastic Zoo. Mary and Tim hear the profound stories of The Phoenix, The Mermaid and The Dragon, who give the children powerful life lessons about living life with Imagination.
Afterwards, they return to their Aunt Alice’s house and the giant tree in their front yard comes to life. The works ends with a song, ‘Music Magic is Everywhere.’ HERE:
DANCING NIGHT HAWK – inspired by Native American Mythology, this work could be best characterized as a cinematic ballet. The lead is performed by Sophie Kaufman and the work highlights her talents as dancer and actress. In the story, Night Hawk saves the Ne’ne’m
e’kay’aa (the Thunderbirds who have protected her village for a thousand years) from the evil Ma’ha’kuk Demon Lords who have captured them. At the end Hawk is crowned medicine princess of her village.
More HERE:
[explore these works further ::HERE:: ]
THE TALISMAN OF AHAU-KIN – premiered on the first Halloween Edition 1027/’19, this work is a movie. Sophie Kaufman was filmed in green-screen and placed into Doctor Kaufman’s imaginative illustrative world. Doctor Kaufman’s brilliant film score is a primary element. In the story, young Rosita Alvarado saves the world from the ravages of climate change, which takes the form of an evil mist turning people into zombies and ghosts. She braves a haunted house and a pirate ship at the bottom of the sea. Doctor Kaufman terms these works, ‘Halloween Parables’ and each Halloween Edition will begin with a new interesting take on Halloween-based themes.
Most of these works are full featured Books with Free full Audio Albums on sale HERE:
GUEST ARTISTS
After the opening Music Play, the featured Guest Teaching Artist takes the stage. 
The GTA speaks to the audience about why/how they started their lives as artists. They talk about early experiences and then perform a work which may relate to that early experience.
Flutist/composer/inventor: Robert Dick was a featured artist a few times early on in the life of The Phantastic Theater. As a world renowned artist he commands great interest in his performances. He has been GTA as well as participating in music plays and music pieces.
At our event 10/27/19, the premiere of our now annual Halloween Edition (presented the Sunday before Halloween), we were honored to have as GTA, Karl Kramer. Karl is an internationally known french horn player, teacher and composer. He spoke about when he was young and started playing horn. He played famous h
orn solos from classical works (in historic chronology) which inspired him along his path. He ended with an original composition which had an engaging story to it and plenty of humor, while exposing the audience to modern horn playing techniques.
The previous two years featured, as GTA, Jennifer Roderer (courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera). Jennifer spoke about how when she was young, she found she had an amazing vocal gift and that she loved the witch characters from operas. She then performed the witch scene from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, giving the audience quite a thrill! She also performed Arias from famous operas with Daniel Rieppel.
Another featured GTA was Daniel Rieppel. Daniel is a concert pianist and performed the music of Debussy. Before performing, he spoke engagingly about the music and gave them many things to listen for. His pyrotechnic musical talents are an ongoing featured element of Phantastic Theater productions.
More GTAs below.
After the Guest Teaching Artist spot I have often feature a young artist.
Young pianist Elias Schisgall Performed the music of Oliver Messiaen and Johannes Brahms.
WE END WITH MY UNIQUE ‘HALLOWEEN ADAPTATION’ OF DONALD ERB’S ‘SOUVENIR’
In this theatrical piece, a guest artist plays the part of a wizard (or sorceress) conjuring a mighty spell. The realization of this spell is our unique ‘macabre’ adaption of Donald Erb’s work ‘Souvenir’. All the artists of the day join in the performance which culminates in a state of ‘Joyful Pandemonium’. Erb’s classic electronic music plays on tape as musicians improvise with it, black lights break out and we toss glowing beach balls for the audience to play with and glowing toys for the young people to take home. They leave with Souvenirs, toys and imaginations filled with Art and Music!
Other Guests have included; Member of the Jane Goodall Youth Council – Arunima Roy, 
Hornist/Composer – Jeffrey Weeks Harrison, Emmy Award winning composer Joe Carroll, young artists, pianists; Hildi Gabel, Ben Shiffrel.
Note: The Phantastic Theater is my daytime series for full family audiences. My evening series for the presentation of ‘heavier’ works, still involving creative presentation, is titled CHIRON Performing Arts, and can be found HERE:
As founder/director of these series’ I have presented the work of hundreds of artists of all disciplines.
Press:
Broadway World
Brooklyn Reader
Musical America
Mommypoppins
A Past Performance:
THE PHANTATIC ZOO
Robert Dick, Sofia Rose Kaufman and Doctor Kaufman
Saturday, March 4th, 2017 11AM!
Brooklyn Arts Fellowship
Excellent Show, Wonderful Audience!
Within a setting of theatrical presentation, gorgeous symphonic music flows through speakers as the audience sees text and colorful illustration flow by on screen, like a living book. Experience dance, voice acting, puppetry and narration! Join Mary and Tim as they start their adventure on a field trip to the zoo and meet the Wizard Zitthoona who ushers them into THE PHANTASTIC ZOO where they hear the timeless and beautiful stories of The Phoenix, The Mermaid and The Dragon! A unique and powerful storytelling experience for the whole family!
WORLD PREMIERE of OFFICIAL THE PHANTASTIC THEATER EVENT
2/27/2016 – The Brooklyn Commons
This event included the World Premiere of THE PHANTASTIC ZOO, scene from THE MUSICAL FOREST and Guest Teaching Artist Robert Dick.
WE’VE ALSO PERFORMED AT FESTIVALS, WORKSHOPS and with FULL ORCHESTRA
The Phantastic Theater is the Arts Education Branch of my work as a creative artist, presenter and educator. It has been focused on my daughter Sophie and has grown into a full-fledged family-based Arts Education Series. The audience grew as she has grown, both in numbers and in age group. The works I created: The Adventures of Squiggle T. Buglet, The Phantastic Zoo, Dancing Night Hawk, and The Talisman of Ahau-kin were created for she and I to perform together, for her to experience the arts first-hand and develop her talents – and to demonstrate the working creative arts to a family-based audience. Through these works, which I call ‘music plays’, I developed a unique presentation system – where effulgent symphonic music pours through speakers and illustrative art streams on screen as we perform: acting, voice acting, dance and puppetry. [explore them ::HERE:: ]
Our many guest artists and ensembles have made it what it is and I am very happy with what The Phantastic Theater has been and become. I consider The Phantastic Theater to be a powerful and effective way of presenting art. It re-injects into new music what has been ‘incised’ by an antiseptic environment. I hope many young people have been inspired to further develop their own artistry and to know the imaginative power the arts provide. I also hope that many adults have had their love for the arts re-invigorated or supported.
I have no idea how long I will be presenting these events, but I know they will continue a few years further. Sophie goes to college a few years hence. It has been such an honor to work with this talented young person I love so much. I am very happy to have dedicated much of my creative ‘prime’ to creating works for my daughter. Now these works must move out and find a life of their own.
For right now The Phantastic Theater is focused on the audience provided by our guest ensemble, The Mark Twain Middle School Band- led by ‘the illustrious Jason Luft’ – and the full house they provide. Onward.
I wish to express great thanks to supporters of The Phantastic Theater (who wish to remain anonymous). Every year we hold a crowdfund – without which we could not survive. And now our guest ensemble provides tremendous support – Thanks therefore to Jason Luft and principal Ditolla of Mark Twain Middle School.
And, of course, to the many guest artists who have made The Phantastic Theater what it is.
Special Thanks to Robert Dick – he was a great help in getting this series off the ground and was an inspiration for much of it at the beginning long ago.