Journey to ‘The Second-to-Last Exit’ with Village Theatre Guild’s production, opening Aug. 16
The question of what happens after we die has been something people have wondered about throughout history. It is also the central theme in Village Theatre Guild’s upcoming production of “The Second-to-Last Exit” by local playwright Carl Zeitler of Glen Ellyn.
The production consists of six short plays that deal with a variety of people who have just passed away and are led to a waiting room by secretive hosts. As they reflect on their lives and ponder what may come next, they interact with others they meet in a mixture of comedy and drama.
“I wrote the script for ‘And Then What?,’ which is the opening play in this production, over 10 years ago. It was a form of therapy over the sudden loss of a friend of mine,” Zeitler said. “GreenMan Theatre Troupe in Elmhurst was producing a show called ‘After the End of the World’ in May of 2013. It focused on various people coping with endings and beginnings. I submitted my script and to direct it, and it was accepted among seven other short plays.
“I’m thankful for that opportunity. A few years went by and I kept coming back to the idea of writing other short plays that dealt with the same premise in the same location but with different stories and characters,” Zeitler said.
Zeitler eventually wrote an additional five plays over the years to package together as a complete production. The journey to get it to the stage had more miles to go, however.
“I had talked with a couple of local theaters that I had worked with about producing it in a summer slot, which usually is an open time on venue schedules,” he said. “It wasn’t able to happen as those venues sadly ceased operation or transferred ownership for a couple years in a row. I had submitted a script to direct at Village Theatre Guild that was produced during the summer of 2016, so I tried my luck again this year. I'm grateful that they accepted it.”
“The Second-to-Last Exit” will run for six performances on Village Theatre Guild's Sue Keenan Stage on Aug. 16-18 and 23-25. Friday & Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
It features a cast of Kelly Belmont (Oak Park), Jen Connon (Aurora), Danny Glenn (Schaumburg), Beth Goncher (Aurora), Kim Green (South Elgin), Jamie Lee (Bartlett), Stephen Pickering (Fox River Grove), Debbie Roberts (Lockport), Kate Roberts (Lockport), Guy Sullivan (Roselle), Julia Thompson (Naperville), Tammy White (Woodridge), and Zeitler.
Goncher had only worked at Village Theatre Guild once before eight years ago and she was excited to come back. “I think a big part of returning to Village Theatre is working with some of the same folks that I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years but also meeting some new folks, so it’s been great,” she said.
The majority of the cast are brand new or relatively new to Village Theatre Guild productions. Six cast members are making their debut while three others are in their second production.
Sullivan is a Village Theatre Guild veteran and has also been active at numerous other local venues over the years. He was reflective on the prospect of being part of this show. “I think it’s just an interesting concept to think about. I think the audience will really be intrigued about what happens and how we go through the process.”
Pickering, who is in his Village Theatre Guild debut, also chimed in with what audiences may experience when they come to this production. “Well, what I hope they take away, other than a vastly entertaining evening and some laughs and some thoughtful moments, is a time to kind of reflect on what’s important in their lives and grab those things now while you can because time slips by so fast and sometimes when they’re gone, they’re gone.”
“There are some serious things that happen in it, but it’s also a very, very funny show, so I think the humor is something that definitely helps endear people to it. I think when you have humor in a script, it allows you to say certain things and allows you to tackle certain subjects that would actually be a lot harder if you just did a straight, very serious drama,” Jamie Lee added.
“And Then What?” tells the story of two strangers who just passed away. A mysterious host brings them to a waiting room where they discuss their lives before they discover their fates.
“Maternally Yours” portrays another host who ushers in a mother and daughter who have a rocky relationship. Will they be able to settle their differences in time?
“Competitive Purgatory” introduces a host trainee who has to contend with a married couple who both have a stubbornly competitive nature.
“The Final High School Reunion” is about two former classmates who had issues while in high school. Will their conflict continue in the afterlife?
“Solitaire for Two” deals with a despondent older woman who meets an optimistic younger woman with whom she has a lot in common.
“Eternal Coffee Break” tells the story of the three hosts on a coffee break as they discuss various details about their job.
Zeitler directs the production and is co-producer with Renata Allelujka (Crest Hill). Maureen Corcoran (Wheaton) is the stage manager. Other production crew members include Paul Lauricella (tech director and sound design), Dan Ruzicka (light design), Todd Ridgeway (set design), Maggie Fredricks (box office), Angela Bend (fight choreographer), David Dowell (photography), and Matt Hellyer (graphic design).
Tickets are $15 (all fees included) and currently on sale for “The Second-to-Last Exit.” Interested patrons can reserve tickets at villagetheatreguild.com/2024-5 or by calling the box office at (630) 469-8230.
Village Theatre Guild is located at 2S720 Park Blvd., near the northwest corner of Butterfield Road and Park Boulevard in Glen Ellyn. Free parking is available. The production is appropriate for PG-13 audiences due to content and language.
Members of the cast thought about what or who might be waiting for them once they pass away. They discussed things they would hope to do or find once they made it to the other side.
“I hope there’s love. I hope I find peace and joy and connection and acceptance because I feel there’s just not enough of that here,” Pickering shared.
“I think it would be cool to have a perspective, if we’re allowed, on what this whole thing is, of life,” Glenn said.
“I think it would be nice if I achieve some kind of elevation above what our human consciousness and all its limitations can perceive. Just become one with the light and the energy,” Thompson added.