Ren Faire is a three-part American television documentary series directed and produced by Lance Oppenheim that premiered on June 2, 2024, on HBO.[1][2] The series explores a succession crisis at America's largest Renaissance fair, the Texas Renaissance Festival.[3]
Premise
Ren Faire follows an epic power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, after its founder announces his retirement. The festival's general manager and heir apparent faces off against a kettle-corn kingpin and a former elephant trainer, all vying to reshape the festival in their own vision.[4]
Cast
Featured personnel in the documentary are credited as themselves (in order of appearance):
George Coulam
Jeffrey Baldwin
Louie Migliaccio
Darla Smith
Brandi Baldwin
Lauren Croft
Episodes
No.
Title
Directed by
Original air date
1
"Daddy’s Dyin, Who’s Got The Will?"
Lance Oppenheim
June 2, 2024 (2024-06-02)
During the 2021 Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) season, founder and octogenarian George "The King" Coulam considers retiring. General manager and former stage actor Jeff Baldwin is steadfastly loyal to George and believes he will be selected as heir; his lack of business experience is a concern. Meanwhile, vendor Louie Migliaccio, owner of the Kettle corn stand, plans to purchase the TRF from George. However, the matter is further complicated by George's cantankerous and fickle personality; he spends his days in his eccentric mansion being waited on and using online sugar dating sites. Jeff is distraught to learn that George and Louie are discussing a buyout.
2
"Make Big Choices"
Lance Oppenheim
June 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)
As the 2022 season approaches, Jeff plans to hire his wife, Brandi, as the entertainment director, but George disallows it. Assistant general manager, Lauren Croft, supports Jeff but remains subservient to George to avoid losing her job. Meanwhile, as Louie prepares his offer, vendor coordinator Darla Smith, believing that neither Louie nor Jeff will be able to successfully run the TRF, makes a play for a promotion. George has an unsuccessful date with a 24-year-old woman. He immerses himself into the operations of the TRF, also selling some of his shares to longtime employees and vendors. Jeff convinces George not to sell to Louie, and Darla is promoted to co-manager.
3
"We're Done!"
Lance Oppenheim
June 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)
During the 2022 season, Darla and Jeff compete for George's attention. After a contaminated drinking water hoax makes the news, George fires Jeff. Jeff falls into a deep depression, but returns for the 2023 season, having begged George to let him return as the entertainment director. Darla struggles to work directly under the authoritative George. After another unsuccessful date, George reconsiders selling to Louie, but also considers an offer from a family of Greek food vendors. At the end of the 2023 season, Jeff recommits himself to the TRF, Lauren decides to go back to school, and George once again rebuffs the buyout offers. He fires Darla and names himself the general manager.
Release
The film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2024.[5]
Attendees of a Ren Faire screening in New York City eat turkey legs that HBO distributed as refreshments.
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.90/10.[6] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[7]
References
^"HBO Original Documentary Series REN FAIRE Debuts June 2". Warner Bros. Discovery. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
^Bergeson, Samantha (January 10, 2024). "SXSW 2024 Lineup: '3 Body Problem' Premiere to Open Fest, 'The Fall Guy' Set for Centerpiece Screening, and More". Indiewire. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^Galuppo, Mia (January 10, 2024). "Ryan Gosling's 'Fall Guy,' '3 Body Problem' Headed to SXSW". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^Complex, Valerie (January 10, 2024). "SXSW Lineup Sets 'The Fall Guy', '3 Body Problem' Among Fest's 2024 World Premieres As First Titles Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^Butterfield, Cassie (January 19, 2024). "13 SXSW Film & TV Screenings We Can't Wait to See". Tribeza. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
