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The Eatonia Oasis Players lit up the stage at the Eatonia Community Hall this past weekend with their production of Exit Laughing, a heartfelt and hilarious comedy that left audiences both roaring with laughter and unexpectedly misty-eyed.
The play, written by Paul Elliott, follows the story of three Southern women from Birmingham, Alabama, whose weekly card night takes a chaotic turn after one of their beloved group members passes away. In an act of defiance—and perhaps misplaced affection—they “borrow” her ashes from the funeral home for one last game. What unfolds is a wild, unforgettable night involving a police raid, a surprise visit from a stripper, plenty of laughs, and a renewed outlook on friendship, aging, and truly living.
Julie Nunweiler brought warmth and subtle strength to the role of Connie, the group's grounding force and mother to Rachel. “This is my second year being part of the cast,” said Nunweiler. “But I’ve been involved with the pre-show singing off and on since 2003.” She added, “Eatonia has always been such a supportive community. We couldn’t do it without them. They’re always there to back you no matter what—whether you need volunteers, setup help, or anything else.”
Rachel, Connie’s sharp-tongued and dramatic college-age daughter, was alternated between Maricel Krugel and Taylor Aldridge. Rachel’s emotional rollercoaster after being stood up on a date adds tension and laughs, especially when thrown into the madness of her mother’s card night antics.
Leann Martens played Millie, the loveably ditzy member of the trio. Her comic timing and innocent delivery turned nearly every line into a crowd-pleaser. Barb Cherniwchan was pitch-perfect as Leona, the dramatic diva with a scandalous romantic past, who could deliver a withering glance or a full-body overreaction with equal flair.
Nunweiler noted how responsive and lively the audience had been throughout the weekend: “The crowd is just loving everything. Everything we say, they’re right on cue, laughing—it’s just made it so easy to go out and keep going and having fun.”
Dion Swan stole scenes with his appearance as Officer Grayson, whose arrival adds a surprising twist to the night’s events. “It’s a good show, small cast,” said Swan. “Everyone was very well cast, perfect for their role. Everyone is going to have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.”
Director Josh Bews expressed his gratitude to the community and cast after the final curtain fell. “It’s going great. I couldn’t be more appreciative of my cast and my crew and everybody coming out to see it. It’s just been a great weekend.”
With witty dialogue, poignant moments, and spirited performances, Exit Laughing was another shining success for the Eatonia Oasis Players—a group known not just for entertaining but for bringing the community together, one laugh at a time.