By John-Paul Sartre
Directed by Gene Simakowicz
For the final lap of 2010, HSC turned to two modern plays in an attempt to present shows that had a ying and yang perspective. Opposites in imagery and tone, that represent a certain cultural underpinning that embody the era in which it was written. The positive show was "Eleemosynary" and the negative "No Exit". "No Exit" was written during the German occupation of France in World War II and in this nihilistic time when it seemed hope was no where to be found, a philosophical movement took hold called - Existenialism. The basic tenant being what you had on earth was all that was. This boxed in philosophy in time inspired John Paul Sarte to craft an updated version of Hell. Instead of the traditional fire and brimstone, he brought about a comfortable room but you were there with strangers...forever. In this situation Joesph Garcin, a gunned-down journalist, finds himself with Inez, a controlling lesbian who drove her cousin to kill himself and Estelle, a rich woman who killed her infant. While the room is comfortable and attended by the ever vigilent valet, the trio are stuck with each other to review their old lives and deal with each other.
Performances
Oct. 21 @ 7pm
Oct. 22 @ 9pm
Oct. 23 @ 7pm
Oct 24 @ 3pm
Cast
Estelle Ashley Lauren Hamilton
Roy Arias PAYAN THEATER, Studio 509
300 West 43rd St 5th floor
$15 General admission for each show/
$25 to see both!
$12 Advanced ticket sales for a single show $20 for both
To view other 2010 productions
Fancying himself a man's man, Garcin (Jarrod Luke) ran a pacifist newspaper in South America, lived large and often cheated on his wife. In a bid for a new life he tried to run away from a repressive country and make his way to Mexico when he was gunned down by a border partol. Now, this proud man is set with two women headstrong women who have their own demons.
Garcin (Jarrod Luke) and Inez (Keri Seymour) divulge their pasts that lead to being damned while Estelle (Achley Lauren Hamilton) feigns innocence thinking all of this mistake. Above, she finally recounts the killing of her baby and desperately tries to hold on to the fading images of her fomer life.
Inez (Keri Seymour) knows she's damned and is the only member of the trio that accepts her fate. She unapologetically taunts Estelle (Ashley Lauren Hamilton) and Garcin (Jarrod Luke) who try to hold on to the pretense of their lives. The realization finally sets in that there is no holding on, the only way to proceed is to accept their situation and realize thts is all there is.
