Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a suspenseful and speculative production

“Working at Bradley, I am just surrounded by students on their cellphones,” said Salazar-Martin, an adjunct professor in the theater department who is directing the production. “It’s shocking to me how many students don’t make eye contact, no greeting, no acknowledgement. I think it’s fascinating that they are trying so hard to be connected with people, but are totally disconnected from what’s right in front of them.”

The comedy, which opens Feb. 22, begins with a loud ringing of a cellphone in the middle of a quiet cafe. When it continues to ring unanswered, Jean, the nearest diner, looks at the phone’s owner and discovers he’s dead.

“When she answers the phone, she begins this crazy journey living his life for him,” said Salazar-Martin. “She ends up taking on his life and living vicariously through him, and in the course realizes she is not living her own life.”

Jean is played by Bradley senior Rebekah Farr, and the dead man, Gordon, is played by Zac Olson.

“It’s a small cast, only six characters total,” said Salazar-Martin. “The ensemble includes freshman to senior students. They are really excellent.”

Also in the production are Jake Winkle, Hannah Gustafson, Jody Holtz and Susan Falk.

Written by contemporary playwright Sarah Ruhl, a faculty member of the Yale School of Drama, the play was awarded a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play after it premiered in 2007 at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.

Based in modern times, the play features modern costumes and props. The set is also modern, but with multiple levels and an ambiguous paint treatment to reflect the fact that not all the action is happening in this world.

“The play really lives in the in-between world. It’s not quite realism,” said Salazar-Martin.

The play explores the way technology both isolates and unites people. Some people have seen it as a criticism of how cellphones are affecting everyday interactions, but Salazar-Martin thinks the ultimate message is a bit more subtle.

It’s a timely topic particularly germane to Bradley’s technology savvy student body, said Salazar.

“I believe this play is terribly timely,” she said. “It’s really about living your life and being present — using technology as a tool to help you connect, but not letting it become the thing you are living through. You could end up totally missing your life — you could end up being the dead man with the cellphone.”

Leslie Renken can be reached at 686-3250 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter.com/LeslieRenken, and subscribe to her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.

What: Bradley Theatre Arts department presents “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.”

When: Feb. 22-25, and March 1-4. Productions begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Where: Hartmann Center, 1423 St. James, on the Bradley University campus.

Tickets: $5 for students, $12 for seniors older than 62, and $15 for adults, and are available by calling the Hartmann Center box office at 677-2650. Box office hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information visit www.bradley.edu/theatre/.

Printed with permission by Journal Star