What does it mean to live in hell? That is one of the central questions explored in Jean-Paul Sartre's dramatic existentialist play “No Exit,” which is Theatre UNO’s first production of the spring semester.

The play, directed by University of New Orleans theatre professor David Hoover, opens Friday at the Robert E. Nims Lab Theatre located on campus.

The story concerns three very different people: a middle-aged male journalist named Joseph Garcin, a lesbian named Ines Serrano and a young society lady named Estelle Rigault. One by one, they are ushered into the same opulent room by a sullen valet.

Each character understands that they are dead, and they assume that they are in hell, expecting the usual fire and brimstone. But as time wears on, they gradually realize their predicament: Their eternal punishment will be to stew over the crimes that they have committed but failed to acknowledge, either to themselves or to each other. As one character remarks, it turns out that they are to be their own torturers.

Hoover has directed over 50 productions for the University of New Orleans during his tenure and has acted and directed more than 50 productions in the New Orleans area. He has taught for 37 years at the college level, 32 of which have been at UNO.

Previews will be shown on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Preview performances are subject to stop and start at the discretion of the director.

The show officially opens Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Sunday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. The show resumes Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and closes Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free. However, seat reservations are recommended and can be made here.

To request disability related accommodations, please contact sota@uno.edu.