Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre is presenting the one-act plays “No Exit” and “The Criminals” May 16-19 at First Street Community Center. Curtains rise on the shows at 7:30 p.m. May 16 through 18 and 2 p.m. on May 19.
Theatre Director Grant Freeman said these are two of his favorite plays, with The Criminals being one he has written published works on.
“They’re works that have a lot in common with one another,” Freeman said. “They aren’t the same, but they are very similar, but when you see them together you will get some of those learned experiences.”
The shows will always be presented “in the round,” which Freeman said is how he learned to direct and is one of his favorite styles of direction.
“I don’t believe in a fourth wall in a lot of my productions,” Freeman said. “That is why even in traditional plays, I utilize entrances from other portions of the stage or actors in the audience. It is the best form of theater.”
Freeman said the shows are super complicated. In “The Criminals,” actors are switching from one character to another. “No Exit” Freeman notes is a philosophically deep play.
Freeman says he is happy that with directing this piece for the Elliott Studio series he can get back to embracing community theatre’s main goals — experimental and engaging theater for audiences.
Mary Morgan-Blacharski plays the role of Cuca in “The Criminals,” the older sister in the production.
“I love this particular kind of play,” Morgan-Blacharski said. “I love that there are elements that are not based in realism.”
Of course, because it is not based on realism, that makes learning lines and figuring out what she is doing in some scenes tougher.
She did say her favorite thing, however, is that the plays are being performed “in the round.”
“It gives me permission as an actor to move a lot more and use so much more of the entire space,” Morgan-Blacharski said.
Jennifer Smith plays Inez in “No Exit.”
“I really wanted an opportunity to work with Grant Freeman again,” Smith said. “And then I read this script, and it’s a very fascinating idea.”
Like Morgan-Blacharski, learning lines has been a struggle, and finding the emotions that characters are supposed to be exhibiting during the production.
She also commends the choice to have the shows performed “in the round.”
“It allows so much more freedom in your decisions in presenting your character,” Smith said. “It’s very freeing.”
“This is a very unique show that people haven’t seen by MVLCT,” Morgan-Blacharski said.
Freeman agrees, noting that this is a great theatrical experience that people should come out and see.
“It’s an experience that many people have not experienced,” Freeman said. “These are all intimate shows.”
“They’re great shows because they will make you think,” Smith said.
Tickets are now available at mvlct.com.
Cast Lists
“No Exit”
Garcin – James McIntyre
Inez – Jennifer Smith
Estelle – Jennifer Beall
Valet – Courtenay Baker
“The Criminals”
Assistant Director: Jennifer Smith
Lalo – Jackson Bartelme
Cuca – Mary Morgan-Blacharski
Beba – Genesis Hartle
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre presents ‘No Exit’ and ‘The Criminals’
Nathan Countryman, Editor
May 9, 2024
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.