Dead Man’s Cell Phone

February 12 – March 1, 2015

by Sarah Ruhl

Springs Ensemble Theatre begins our sixth season with Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a serio-comedy about connecting in a landscape of over-connectedness.

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. The owner of the cell phone doesn’t answer because, as the title suggests, he is dead. Jean, however, does pick up, and when she discovers that the cell phone owner has passed away, she takes ownership of his phone in order to keep him alive in a strange, yet significant way. Wanting to bring closure and a sense of fulfillment to his family, friends, associates, and mistress, Jean creates confabulations about the man’s last moments, and subsequently opens herself up to experience life directly instead of vicariously. Whimsical, wistful, and absurd, Dead Man’s Cell Phone explores the paradox of modern technology’s ability to both unite and isolate people in the digital age. Winner of the 2007 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Play, Dead Man’s Cell Phone first premiered off Broadway in 2008 featuring Mary Louise Parker (Weeds, Angels in America) as Jean. SET is thrilled to be kicking off Season Six with this play from one of America’s most exciting theatrical voices!

SET’s production is directed by Sarah S. Shaver and features performances by SET members Jenny Maloney, Karl Brevik, Erin King, June Scott Barfield, and Micah Spiers with guest artists Jane Fromme, Sue Bachman, and Warren Epstein.

Cast and Production Team

 

Cast

JEAN: Jenny Maloney

GORDON: Warren Epstein

MRS. GOTTLIEB: Sue Bachman

DWIGHT: Karl Brevik

HERMIA: Jane Fromme

OTHER WOMAN/STRANGER: Erin King

Featured Dancers: June Scott Barfield and Micah Speirs

Production Team

Executive Producer & Director: Sarah S. Shaver

Co-Producers: Matt Radcliffe, Emory John Collinson

Stage Manager: Gabriel Espinoza-Lira

Props Master: Karl Brevik

Costume Design: Heather Clark

Lighting Designer: Brianna G. Pilon

Sound Design: Jon Margheim

Set Design: June Scott Barfield

Choreographers: June Scott Barfield and Micah Speirs

Fight Choreographer: Max Ferguson

Poster Design: Linda Nichols

Trailer Design: Steve Emily and Jessica Weaver