NO EXIT

Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit was never intended to make the audience comfortable or to leave them fully satisfied; rather, it is a brilliant example of quintessential existentialist philosophy and commentary. Sartre’s genius is clearly evident in his 1944 masterpiece, and the language, ideas, and questions he poses are as valid and disturbing today as they were more than half a century ago. Lonesome No More! Theatre’s version of this ambitious work is currently running at the Theatre Asylum Lab in Hollywood.

No Exit opens on a single room with three chairs. One by one, the principle characters Garcin (Stephen L. Sullivan), Inez (Sara Garcia), and the beautiful Estelle (Jill Evyn) are escorted into the room by an enigmatic valet (Leland Montgomery). They quickly find that their failings on earth have condemned them to spending eternity together in the tiny room where the lights are never dimmed. Any illusions of the torturous hell fires of tradition that may await them give way to the painful realization illuminated by Sullivan’s Garcin when he proclaims, in horror, “Hell is other people!” It is perhaps the most enduring mantra of the existentialist movement, and Sartre vividly engrains it in our collective artistic memories with this work. The varying levels of successes accomplished by this production are punctuated by a strong culmination of action and an unresolved final note that would resonate well with Sartre himself.

Lori Petermann directs the four-person cast in a way that shows a strong understanding of the subject matter, bringing about a show that builds momentum with each revelation. Peterman dexterously uses the often-ignored valet character as well as Martin Gimenez’s powerful sound design to further draw out the essential existentialism of the piece. Sullivan, Montgomery, Garcia and Evyn work well together, and the unaccredited economic set design provides a pleasing aesthetic for their performances. Unevenness in the makeup and a general unkemptness in the promising costumes, including sometimes distracting modern labels clearly displayed, will surely be fixed after previews. While considerable liberties have been taken with this translation, perhaps in an attempt to update it, the story is intact and the characters ring true. Presented as an effective 80-minute one act production, No Exit at the Theatre Asylum Lab is a fine entryway to existential theatre and worth a visit.

No Exit runs March 30 April 28 at Theatre Asylum Lab in Hollywood, entrance on Lillian Way.
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