Ashes to laughs: Butler Little Theatre’s ‘Exit Laughing’ delivers heart and humor
Butler Little Theatre closes its season with “Exit Laughing,” a lighthearted comedy by Paul Elliott that mixes friendship, loss and a healthy dose of Southern sass. The material leans heavily on sitcom tropes, but the talented cast and thoughtful direction elevate the play into a heartfelt and laughter-filled evening.
Set in Birmingham, Ala., the story follows longtime friends Connie, portrayed by Katy Wayne; Leona, portrayed by Terri Schultz; and Millie, portrayed by Stephanie Kobol, whose decades-old card game is upended by the death of their fourth member, Mary. Not quite ready to let go, the trio decides to honor her memory with one last round of bridge with Mary’s cremated remains sitting in as the fourth.
The show kicks off with Rachel, Connie’s 22-year-old daughter portrayed by Molly Miller, reeling from romantic disappointment and drowning in self-pity. Her angsty energy sets the tone early as she paces and vents, building to an explosive, and hilarious, emotional spiral that Miller plays with fiery precision.
Under the co-direction of Allison Delcamo and Casey Bowser, the ensemble creates a believable and engaging dynamic. The actresses feel like old friends — bantering, bickering and bonding with ease. Their chemistry smooths over some of the script’s broader strokes and keeps the story grounded, even as the comedy ramps up.
Schultz is a standout as Leona, the brash and booze-loving hairdresser who drowns her midlife anxieties in liquor and blunt honesty. Kobol brings endearing warmth to Millie, the sweetly dim instigator whose theft of Mary’s ashes sets the plot in motion. Wayne, as Connie, provides a steady emotional anchor, reacting with exasperation to her friends’ antics.
In the second act, Grant Clark’s appearance as Rachel’s classmate Bobby adds emotional depth and a touch of surprise to the mix. His performance brings sincerity that balances the comedy.
The set — a cozy living room — is simple, but effective; as is the lighting, allowing the actors and story to take center stage. While the jokes often follow predictable patterns, and punchlines can be seen coming from a mile away, the performances inject them with energy and life. The humor leans into its TV-sitcom roots, calling to mind “The Golden Girls,” with its focus on female friendship, aging, and the joys and absurdities of life.
“Exit Laughing” doesn’t ask its audience to think too hard — it just invites them to laugh along. And in that, the show succeeds. It’s a warm, funny and comfortingly familiar experience as sweet as the baked goods that crowd Connie’s living room table.
“Exit Laughing” continues at the Butler Little Theatre from through Saturday, May 24. Tickets are available at butlerlittletheatre.com. The show runs about 90 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission. It includes strong language and sexual innuendo.
