NO EXIT - Why should you?

The Hypocrites' No Exit runs now through July 11 at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport).  Written by Jean-Paul Sartre and directed by Sean Graney, No Exit is an existential exploration of the afterlife.  What happens when everything you were told is wrong?  What if hell is simply...other people?

I have to give credit to Graney and the cast for a truly entertaining production. That's right.  I just called a show about people suffering in hell - entertaining?  I'm not sure if this production would be considered family fair.  There were several parents toting teenagers to last night's show. (Huh?) I was more embarrassed for the teenagers than anything else.  However, it's still a great night out. 

Graney's production captured a humor and pacing that is often missing from productions of Sartre's most notable work.  No Exit, when directed haphazardly, borderlines on pretentious and droll.  I was truly pleased to find The Hypocrites' production thoughtful and approachable.  And if you read some of my other reviews, you know that I agree with the theme of this show.  Hell is other people, especially bad theatre-goers.

In The Hypocrites' case, Hell is specifically other people located in a tacky Miami hotel room, circa 1988.  That is the key to Sartre's hell. Nothing is as you expect.  Graney did an artful job cutting down the size of the stage, forcing the cast to literally perform on top of each other for ninety minutes.  The only aspect of the show that confused me was the placement of the statue upstage.  Too much action was lost because it took place behind that statue.  I found it a bit frustrating at times, because I flat out could not see.

Special note to the cast (Erin Barlow, Samantha Gleisten, Robert McLean and John Taflan) for their crisp execution (no pun intended) of Graney's vision. The Hypocrites' No Exit is the perfect mix of a Director, with a strong vision, casting a show well. There is only one week left to check it out.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.