‘No Exit’ cast delivers in GLT debut
Greenwood Little Theatre’s “No Exit” opened Thursday evening and enthralled the audience attending with drama mixed with some comedy.
The powerful play offers a unique view of hell, which features an eternity of agony minus the common idea of physical torture.
The play, directed by Nichole Henry, features a talented cast of four.
The event started in the W.M. Whittington Jr. Playhouse’s lobby, where theater-goers enjoyed refreshments and socializing.
At 7:30 p.m., the play began and the audience is introduced to Vincent Cradeau (J.T. Hurst), who has just arrived in hell. Welcoming him is the valet (Rachel Hurst), who shows Cradeau to his room. Rather than fire and torture devices, Cradeau’s room in hell features blue walls, “hideous” furniture, a bricked-up window and a statue that won’t move sitting atop a marble fireplace.
Shortly after Cradeau settles in, he is surprised when the valet brings two women to the room, as well. First walks in is Inez Seranno (Cheryl Weiss), who immediately is rubbed the wrong way by Cradeau.
Estelle Delaunay (Katelin Roberts) is next to arrive. She is wearing a sparkling cerulean evening gown and pearls.
The three are confused about this hell, which seems to be just a room with tacky furniture. Inez, however, feels that the three were put together in the room for a reason. Soon they learn the famous line written by the play’s author, Jean-Paul Sartre, that “hell is other people,” or being stuck in a room with people who see them for who they really are.
The three characters torment each other as they each reveal all their misdeeds and what led to an afterlife in hell. Early in the play, the audience learns that the room has no mirrors. Later, it’s evident that the three are mirrors of each other, bouncing off the reflections of themselves that they’d rather not see.
In J.T. Hurst’s GLT debut, he plays a journalist, who struggles with his own shortcomings.
Greenwood Little Theatre veteran Weiss plays a secretary who is very intelligent but also calculating.
Another Little Theatre veteran, Roberts, plays a vain society lady who seeks the attention of men.
Hurst, Weiss and Roberts deliver exceptional performances.
The show is compelling, especially as the characters begin to challenge each other as they ditch formalities and forced manners and reveal the ugly truths about themselves.
“No Exit” contains content that is not suitable for children.
The show is free for current Greenwood Little Theatre members. Tickets for non-members cost $10 for students (age 21 and younger) and $15 for adults. Visit greenwoodlittletheatre.com or call or text (662) 947-1075 to reserve seats.