Set in the 1930s, it tells the story of brothers Benny and Phil, who go to the Arizona desert to work as extras in the Biblical epic film Exeunt Omnes, directed by the mysteriously reclusive D.W. DeWitt.

After three takes of the Queen scene, having the third be the most successful and after Phil congratulates Benny for his performance, a devastated Shel arrives and announces that Jack was accidentally burned to death.

One night, when Phil fails to show up to a surprise birthday party Louise threw for him, despite his promise that he would, she feels betrayed.

The next day, the crew begins working on the film's climax, where the slave is forced to prove his worth for the princess by fighting gladiators.

DeWitt then finally agrees to let his people go, and Benny, who plans to marry Louise, and have Phil be the best man, leads everybody across the desert, resembling the film's title, Exeunt Omnes, Latin for "Everybody Out!"

[citation needed] Thirteen years later, after 27 previews, the Broadway production, directed by Jerry Zaks, opened on October 1, 1999 at the Helen Hayes Theatre, where it ran for 93 performances.

The cast included Kristin Chenoweth as Louise, Alan Tudyk as Benny, Jeremy Davidson as Phil, and Richard B. Shull as DeWitt.