Renaissance Theatre Lynchburg

The Renaissance Theatre, situated in downtown Lynchburg, is truly exceptional. The history of the physical building is not only a tale in itself, but of course, many stories are told on the stage it accommodates. The theatre company, which is a not-for-profit organization, has a reputation for both the quality of its productions and the unique setting in which they are performed.

The theatre is over 100 years old and situated in the former Bailey Spencer Hardware Store. It was a labor of love for those involved to turn this building into a place where modern safety standards were met, whilst preserving the ambience of a place that has over a century of memories within its walls. The result is an inviting and intimate theatre with exceptional acoustics and a welcoming atmosphere.

The theatre company has produced numerous shows since they opened the doors in April, 2000. The shows include works by well-known novelists and playwrights and also those on the more cutting edge of contemporary literature and plays. No playwright could be more famous than the man known as “The Bard” and in 2010 the company took on the challenge of performing all of his plays within one show! “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” consists of all 37 plays performed in only 97 minutes. Described as a “fast paced romp” the production was a huge success and a novel and entertaining way of showcasing each play in the most succinct fashion!

More contemporary productions have included the Broadway hit “Rent, The Musical”, which deals with matters of money, drugs and death; highlighting the talents and range of the actors who are able to move from one genre to another. The ensemble is taken from local people and open auditions are held periodically to encourage Lynchburg and Virginia residents to be involved. In addition to the actors, the backstage staff put incredible effort into creating the perfect setting. The auditorium holds only 100 seats, so in this small and intimate setting, the audience enjoys every moment of passion, heat and emotion in close proximity, making it all the more powerful.

Watching a play transports viewers into another place and time, where we empathize with characters and feel our hearts beat with anticipation and the thrill of the unfolding story. Often we absorb details that are only recalled after leaving the theatre and reflecting on the show. It`s a wonderful feeling to be entertained by a theatre company who live and love what they do and then to return home and discuss the evening with our companions. There`s nothing better than this late-night debates with friends, relaxing back into the comfort of your Palliser sofa, perhaps with a nightcap in hand and knowing that the evening has created memories to enjoy for many years to come.