No Exit: Graceland Theatre Puts On a Show

By: Rian Bevan

No Exit “Huis clos”, an 1944 existentialist French play by Jean-Paul Sartre. Depicting the afterlife through its cast, the trio of deceased are eternally punished by being locked in a room together, with no exit. In this Sartre’s infamous words ring true "L'enfer, c'est les autres" or "Hell is other people".  

Graceland production of the show will be shown for two weekends in November. The first show on Friday 14th at 7:30 , Saturday 15th showing also at 7:30, and Sunday showing at 2:00p, the next week follows the same 21-22 7:30p, Sunday 23 at 2:00p.  

The doors will open at 7pm, online ticket sales will end at 6pm on opening night. You can find online tickets at graceland.edu/boxoffice. Calling all GU Students, your tickets are free, so make sure you “purchase” them before the show. If you are unable to watch the play in person you can watch it on the Graceland YouTube page a week after the play has closed.  

Ashley Cates, starring in the Theatre Department's last show, "Exit, Perused By A Bear," in March of 2025. Photo credits to Graceland Marketing.

This show will be the first show for the theater production in the JR theater this year, hosting the cast of characters; Vincent Cradau played by Lily Rieff , Inez Serrano played by Ashley Cates , and Estelle Delaunay played by Janae Scranton, and the mysterious Bellboy who begins the story is played by Reese O’Dell.  

In Cates’ interview she recounts her work on the play, “Inez as a character caught my interest with her spark for life and openness, the way she holds herself until she starts to lose her grasp on everything. She begins a switch in tactic in order to pursue her objective. Inez is a type of character that I have never worked with before, I’m excited to close out my Graceland acting chapter with this character”.  

The theater production has been hard at work since October 15 and is excited to showcase this philosophical work.