Not your average holiday party
In Orlando, the forced jollity of the office get-together gets a new musical-comedy spin
Donald Rupe has been to an office holiday party a time or two. But never one like this. Or maybe they’re all like this.
Rupe is the writer of “The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show,” presented at his Renaissance Theatre through Dec. 19. It’s a mix of singing, improv comedy, audience interaction and alcohol — because how else does one survive the forced jollity of an office get-together?
The Ren is coming off the success of its first production, an immersive vampire-inspired theatrical experience titled “Nosferatu,” in its home off Princeton Street, north of downtown Orlando. “Nosferatu” proved so popular that the theater added extra showings. Rupe, who had stated his mission was to attract a non-theater crowd by presenting the theatrical arts in new ways, says the success was “transformative.”
“It was immediate affirmation that there is an audience” for nontraditional theater in Orlando, he says. “They don’t want to watch ‘The Sound of Music.’ They want to see something new.”
In the case of “The Office Holiday Party…,” they’ll see something familiar in a new way: The much-maligned awkward fraternization of the office shindig. In this case, the theater has been transformed into office space, complete with cubicles and a break room.
The immersion begins right from the start: The actors, already in character, will arrive with the guests to check-in. Rupe has provided story points and a structure; everyone will gather at key moments, like for the introduction and an office gift exchange. But for much of the evening, theatergoers will be free to mingle with whichever characters pique their interest.
Those characters will be familiar to anyone who has worked in an office — or any type of setting that involves other people. There’s the one who drinks too much, the one who makes off-color jokes, the ones who wield their religion like a badge of honor. Take the off-color warning seriously; this is not kiddie fare, Rupe says.
“It’s very much for adults, not a ‘family show,’ ” Rupe says with a chuckle. “I’ve always wanted to do a holiday show that’s not so Christmas-centric, a holiday show for people who don’t celebrate the holidays in the usual way.”
He also wanted to make sure anyone who attended would feel comfortable.
“I am a person who hates to interact at a show,” says Rupe — who appreciates the irony that he writes interactive experiences for others. As director, he has instructed the performers not to pressure anyone into participating. “If you want to sit in a corner and just watch, you can,” he says.
The show will feature the common fixtures of an office — the copy machine, the communal refrigerator — and the awkward moments that can arise between people who are more colleagues than friends.
But it also will feature something a little more unusual (and theatrical): Original songs, written by Rupe and orchestrated and arranged by his musical partner, Jason M. Bailey.
One running joke throughout the show — none of the employees is actually sure what the company does.
“They might work in the marketing department,” Rupe says, “but nobody knows what they’re marketing.”
Among the snark and risque moments and non-politically correct jokes, somehow Rupe couldn’t help a little bit of the holiday spirit sneaking in to the show.
“There are a few sweet and tender moments,” he says. “Well, the holidays also are sentimental.”
‘The Office Party…’
COVID-19 restrictions: Proof of vaccination or negative test result required for entry
Where: The Renaissance Theatre, 415 E. Princeton St. in Orlando
When: Through Dec. 19 Cost: $25
Info: rentheatre.com
Holiday
For ticket information on “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs, go to cirquedusoleil.com/drawn-to-life. Find me on Twitter @matt_on_ arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel. com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/ arts