The show at Renaissance Theatre Company will not go on – at least not for the time being. The Orlando establishment, known for its immersive performances, has had to abruptly pause its production of "Nosferatu," a vampire show that co-founder Donald Rupe described as their "biggest show of the year," according to WFTV. The closure comes in the wake of city inspectors condemning the building and plastering it with eye-catching yellow and orange notices to vacate.
As immersive theater relies on engaging multiple spaces, this move halts a distinctive aspect of The Ren Theatre's appeal, where audiences traverse various scenes throughout the venue. Rupe, grappling with the unexpected disruption, admitted to feeling stressed and is eagerly waiting to clearly understand from Monday's meeting with city officials what exactly needs to be fixed. "It's a very stressful moment," Rupe stated, as per WFTV. The financial stakes are high, with the theater potentially bleeding around $40,000 for every week the curtain remains down.
Addressing the "Condemned" and "Notice to Vacate" signs posted on the front of the theater, Rupe explained that they stem from this year's inspection, which, unlike previous years, flagged issues with the temporary sets used in their productions. "It looks like it’s like the building is about to fall down, and the building is fine," he clarified in a statement obtained by ClickOrlando.
The required fixes, according to Rupe, include ensuring set pieces are fire-treated and stable, which he deems "very fixable, very surmountable," and expressed enthusiasm to possibly work together with the city on these issues. "It’s things like making sure when you have set pieces, making sure all of the set pieces are fire-treated, making sure everything is sturdy and safe for everybody," Rupe elaborated in comments detailed by ClickOrlando. The closure impacts not just the performers and staff, who Rupe intends to pay for this week, but also the wider economy, with a weekly loss estimated at $40,000 to $50,000.
