Phoenix Theatre Ensemble Presents NO EXIT, Begins 12/3

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, an artist-directed theatre company now in its 6th Season, announces that Jean-Paul Sartre's classic NO EXIT will open on Thursday, December 3 and will run Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm through December 13 (with a possible extension through January 1) at The Wild Project at 195 East 3rd Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Considered to be Sartre's dramatic masterpiece, NO EXIT was written in 1944. A valet ushers into a room, which seemingly has no exit, three strangers, Garcin, a pacifist writer, Inez, a postal worker, and Estelle, a socialite, who are to spend eternity together. Each is interrogated by the other two and as crimes and secrets are revealed it is clear that Hell is not just other people but other people who force you to be accountable for the past.

Adapted for film in 1954, 1964, and 2006; and 2008 a chamber opera premiered in Boston, NO EXIT is considered a true modern classic. Director Elise Stone says "Taking responsibility for our actions is as meaningful now as it was in postwar Europe in the 1940s." Stone goes on to say "I have a long and complicated relationship with this play as an actor and director. It is sometimes exasperating, wonderfully challenging, incredibly sexy, surprisingly funny, a seminal work, important and unforgettable. Even today the play remains extremely fresh and flexible."

This 80-minute trimmed version will feature a cast of Phoenix regulars including Craig Smith as the Valet, Joe Menino as Garcin, Laura Piquado as Inez, and Kelli Holsopple as Estelle. The ulta modern set and lights have been designed Tsubasa Kamei with costumes by Margaret McKowen. Mirian Hyfler is stage manager.

All performances will be at The Wild Project in the heart of New York's East Village at 195 East 3rd Street, the newly renovated 99-seat "green" theatre with eco-friendly features like recycled glass tiles, bamboo plywood, low flush toilets, rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient glass windows.

Advance discount passes and single tickets for NO EXIT can be purchased by calling 212-352-3101 or visiting www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org. A pay-what-you-can ticket policy will go into effect beginning on December 2.

When: Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm

Thursday, December 3 through December 13

Possible Extension through January 1.

Tickets: $25 each; TDF Vouchers Welcome; Pay-What-You-Can tickets start December 2.

Call 212-352-3101 or visit www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org.

Where: The Wild Project

195 East 3rd Street (between Avenues A & B)

Subway: F or V to 2nd Avenue or L to 14th Street