For Immediate Release
January 13, 2018
The Absentees Theatre Troupe presents:
Hell is Other People
Inspired by No Exit (Jean-Paul Sartre)
February 3 - February 10, 2018
Portland, OR - The Absentees are exploding onto the local theatre scene with an intimate and visually stunning adaptation of Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit. Hell is Other People, the group’s inaugural show, is a collaborative creation of this Portland-based group of veteran actors brought together with the mission to create high quality, innovative theatre productions that are affordable and accessible. Incorporating live musical numbers and a range of visual mediums, their debut production will have audiences captivated from start to finish.
Hell is Other People is a contemporary adaptation of the classic dark comedy by Sartre which depicts three “damned souls” trapped together in the afterlife for eternity. We are first introduced to Joseph Garcin, a journalist who runs a pacifist newspaper and was shot for deserting his post during the war. A mysterious valet leads him into a second empire drawing room and leaves to fetch the other “guests.” Inez Seranno, a postal clerk and self-described “damned bitch”, enters the room followed by Estelle Rigault, a woman of high society who is convinced there has been a mistake and will not admit the real reason she is in hell. Garcin and Estelle put on a show of misunderstanding as to why they have been damned, but Inez insists they drop the pretense and reveal their crimes on earth. Garcin ultimately admits to his desertion and mistreatment of his wife, and appeals to Inez for redemption. Estelle is desperate for Garcin’s attention, and reveals herself to be a narcissist who had multiple affairs and murdered her own child. Inez was guilty of seducing her friend’s wife and tries her hand at wooing Estelle, who has no interest in women. This relationship triangle makes for a farcical and wildly entertaining look at human nature and the dangers of indulging our worst impulses. Despite being written in 1944, Sartre’s play is deeply relevant to our modern struggle with personal and political morality. The story’s plot and philosophical themes inspired the award-winning new T.V. show, “The Good Place.”
Founding troupe members Jennifer Sandoval and Kate Brauneis met while working together during the Rose City Shakespeare Company’s (RCSC) production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The two discovered a shared desire to be more involved in the production and creation of a new show. Jen and Kate put their heads together and formed The Absentees, a Portland-based acting troupe with the mission to create high quality, innovative theatre productions that are affordable and accessible. Walker Faison, who also portrayed a lead character in RCSC’s Midsummerproduction, was brought on board to play Joseph Garcin. Ian Leiner, a regular performer with the Nutz -n- Boltz Theatre Company will portray the dark and menacing “Valet.” The group utilized a collectivist approach to show direction, with assistance from local director Lissie Huff.
Dates & Times | Evenings: February 3, 9, 10 at 7:30pm Matinees: February 4 at 12:00pm
Place | The Emerson Street House: 1006 NE Emerson Street Portland, OR 97211
Admission | Pay what you will at the door. Cash only.
Press Contact | Jennifer Sandoval, jnnfr.sandoval@gmail.com, (503) 839-9056