"No Exit"

EXISTENTIALIST PLAY FOLLOWED BY "PARIS CAFÉ" FEATURING SONGS OF JULIETTE GRECO



Postwar Paris comes to life in a unique double bill pairing Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit" with a new evening of songs associated with the Left Bank bohemian icon Juliette Gréco. "No Exit" (in a brand new American translation by Nicholas Wolfson and Richmond Shepard) and "Paris Café" run in tandem from June 12 through June 24 at The Richmond Shepard Theatre, 309 East 26th Street.

Both shows star the German-born actress and singer Micaela Leon, who in eight months in New York, has gained notoriety for her lavishly praised solo cabaret performances that have earned her 2007 Nightlife and MAC award nominations. Livelyarts.com calls Leon "a true Diva, with charm, exuberance and stunning beauty. She is quite moving, quite funny, a genuine superstar." Gay City News calls her "a dazzlingly virtuosic talent." Pronouncing her "fun to watch whether oozing sex, irony or is simply haunting," Wolf Entertainment Guides claims she has "an international aura that could play virtually anywhere in the world."

In "No Exit" a cowardly army deserter, narcissistic society woman and conniving lesbian are detained in a room where they learn they will remain for eternity. First performed in occupied Paris in May 1944, "No Exit" unleashes one of the most startling concepts of 20th century literature and philosophy, spoken in its waning moments: "hell is other people."

Gréco as a theatrical companion to Sartre is a logical choice: the dangerously sensual singer, a friend and confidante of numerous Left Bank writers and artists, was an oracle of postwar angst and ennui. Sartre described the singer's voice as "encompassing millions of poems."

Directed by Shepard, "No Exit" also features Christelle Cervelle, Joe Correa and Nicholas Wolfson.

"No Exit" with " Paris Café" performs 12 times from June 12 through June 24. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Wine will be served during "Paris Café." Tickets are $25 (includes one drink). For reservations call 212/684-2690. The Richmond Shepard Theatre, 309 East 26th, is just east of 2nd Avenue.