by Jaimz Dillman
The vamps have gathered, and they’re out in full force for Renaissance Theater’s fourth installment of NOSFERATU in Orlando, Florida. This interactive and immersive theater production has become the seminal example of how theater can be inclusive and innovative with each incarnation. To ensure the integrity of this 360-degree experience, there are some rules you're reminded of before entering: no bags, no photography (you're only allowed photos in the main room and motorcycle scene—definitely snap some fun shots before you leave), no touching (unless directed to do so), and no talking (which several folks forgot on opening night). If you haven’t been before or are returning for another round of bloodsuckers, the story is easy enough to follow.
This chapter takes place 100 years after last year’s show and features an '80s/rock 'n' roll/animal print aesthetic in costume styling and music. Most of it works well; some choices were… interesting, and some things just didn’t cut it for me personally. However, nothing was so distracting that it took you out of what was happening—it's all around you.
Guests arrive by 6:30 PM for a 7 PM start time, giving everyone a chance to visit the V-Bar for themed drinks and liquid courage. Small snacks are also available, and if you’ve signed up for all three portions of the night and didn’t eat beforehand, you may just need to indulge in the offered candy, chips, or Uncrustables to keep going. We were treated to a full slate and left after 1 AM. It’s a stretch, but the entertainment keeps rolling the whole time.
The opening 45-minute segment, called The Choosing, introduces us to a mortal (the cast changes each night) who is offered to the heads of the vampire councils. They’ve gathered because something is threatening them and mankind. It’s vague what that "thing" is, but I’m sure you’ll catch the gist. Head Vamp (Blake Auburn) returns with his chosen partner, whom he turned last year (Adonis Perez-Escobar). Count Dracula (David Lowe) is back with his bride (J. Marie Bailey, whose story we saw the first year), and as our victim/volunteer discovers throughout the night, there’s more to being a creature of the night than preying on humans and being fashionable. We’re given a replay of each vamp’s memories of how they were created, ranging from tragic to historical to downright steamy and sexy. And there's running. So much running.
Right off the bat (heh, bat), we were impressed by the sheer stamina of the cast. High-energy dance numbers and scenes unfold throughout the building’s 15,468 square feet, spanning two floors and 14 rooms, plus a drag-queen-filled final chapter. This is a lot more than your usual 2.5-hour play. These performers didn’t miss a beat, making me want to up my workout game. Seriously, choose your footwear wisely.
After The Choosing, three hours of The Wandering begins. You can buy tickets for any of the segments or all of them, and attending everything in one stretch made the most sense to me for the first viewing this season.
During the short intermission, lines for the bar—and mainly the bathroom—were long. Bartenders were slinging drinks as fast as they could, so no shade there. However, the single-stall bathrooms were a bit of a problem. Those of us waiting actually had to watch the opening of the next part of the night from the hall lest we lose our place. And remember, the night starts with cocktails, so an hour later… well, you get the idea. There are other facilities across the building, but they were only opened once the scenes started, so there wasn't much of a wait later on.
Vampires left the stage, slinking and sashaying through attendees, taking some by the wrist or hand to start the flow of traffic in different directions. Downstairs, there were separate rooms with cells, a medical office, a body bag room, a subway, V’s Diner, and a coffin boudoir. Upstairs, you’d find a forest, a cabin, a bedroom, a dark room, and more. You'll have plenty of time to visit each space—maybe twice—and you’re welcome to return to the bar for another cocktail, but you still won’t see everything. This, of course, encourages multiple visits throughout the run. A season pass is available.
As scenes wrap up, guests are slowly urged to return to the main space for closing and bows. If you’ve purchased the V-Bar end-of-the-night ticket, you stay for the drag/burlesque/live music show. If your wristband isn't the all-inclusive color, you’re asked to exit before everything starts.
Powerhouse singers Risa Risque and Iris Johnson lead a live band and open the show with pounding rock just before seven fierce queens take their turns on stage. The lineup features Beatrixx Oddity, Angelica Sanchez, and Orusha San Miguel (along with Mykki, Coco, Shane, and Magix), who literally serve spooky goodness at the height of glam. This will be another rotating cast each week of the who's who to see and be seen. Sprinkled with a couple of performances from the kids of NOSFERATU and specialty acts, it’s literal fire. I can’t imagine how they’re still going at such force this far into the night. Ah, to be young—or immortal, I guess. This section was straightforward service of looks and talent. Honestly, for the stand-alone $10 ticket price, this is the best fang bang for your buck in Orlando. But I encourage you to bring singles for the performers. The bar is cashless, and there was no QR code to tip the cast, which may have been an oversight. These divas deserve to be showered with cash.
A little more than an hour later, after quite a few jump splits and death drops, the show wraps with a stern command to put away all cellular and photo devices. The cast returns for one big group finale. We’ll leave it for you to discover for yourself. But a heap of scantily clad vampires past the witching hour… you get the idea.
Reflecting on the overall experience, I was happy to see that The Ren continues to show that dead sexy can be any size, shape, sex, or color. Representation matters—even in immortality—and there’s a flavor on stage for all tastes. They even make the show more accessible with some discounted tickets available for all performances. The overall consensus of our group was that some parts of the show were better than last year, while some were not. Some things wowed, and some things fell flat. But that’s the nature of this kind of theater. It's always being renewed and reinvented for the next experience, the next thrill. Some may hit, some may miss. But regardless of all that, I’m here for it. Again and again.
Tickets and all info can be found at https://rentheatre.com/nosferatu
The Full Nosferatu Experience: Includes The Choosing, The Wandering, and V-Bar. Recommended. $66.00.
The Wandering: Visit Nosferatu anytime you want between 8 PM and 11 PM. $35.
V-Bar: Visit V-Bar beginning at 11 PM. $10.
The Choosing and The Wandering (no V-Bar): $50.
The Wandering and V-Bar (no Choosing): $40.
VIP upgrade: V(IP) seating comes with preferred reserved seating in spaces where seating is available, two specialty cocktails, and a keepsake. Add $59 per person at checkout.
Discounted Tickets: A limited number of $20 tickets for The Full Nosferatu Experience are available for each performance. ON SALE NOW.
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