Admit it: You text your friends more than you see them. You must have your phone with you at all times. You even talk in the bathroom sometimes. You have heard people moan about how technology has almost entirely replaced face time in our society. You agree it is unhealthy for relationships, but why change your ways? Besides, you are not addicted to your phone. You can give it up whenever you want, right?
The University drama department's production Dead Man's Cell Phone, which completed its two-week run last weekend, explores the difficulty of relationships in a changing landscape of communication modes. In a world dependent on cell phones, Jean (Sylvia Kates) cannot seem to let go of a phone that does not even belong to her. In fact, it belongs to a man named Gordon (Alex Grubs), who died at the table right next to hers in a restaurant. Gordon, a organ dealer, dies with his cell phone in his hand. Because Jean was the last person to see Gordon before his death, she feels obligated to deal with calls from customers and friends who do not know he is dead.
I was sometimes distracted during the play with wondering why Jean did not simply get rid of the phone, considering she had never met Gordon prior to seeing his death. Perhaps unintentionally, the strong-willed and caring Jean becomes attached to Gordon, his story and his family. When she begins to fib to protect members of the family, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies that becomes more complicated as she develops deeper relationships with Gordon's surviving relatives.
The actors portraying the Gordon's dysfunctional family present equally strong performances. A few highlights include Daria Okugawa, who is hilarious as the cold and hysterical mother who alienates everyone except her already deceased favorite son. Grubs' depiction of the deceased makes an appearance from Hell in the second act as money-hungry and sarcastic - yet charming at the same time.
Sarah Ruhl wrote the play to overflow with quirky wit, keeping the audience entertained. A particularly humorous scene occurred when Gordon's widow Hermia drunkenly complains about her sex life, and a sober Jean lies to placate her. Another memorable scene takes place in the paper shop where Dwight, Gordon's brother, works. He and Jean begin a romantic relationship as paper falls from the ceiling, just as Dwight asserts that love is more powerful when expressed on paper. Yes, even more powerful than hearing the words through the phone, he says.
Although the play may have referenced society's dependence on technology, Dead Man's Cell Phone focused most of its time on its characters and their stories. Even characters with minimal stage time, like Gordon's overly-confident mistress, Carlotta, were brought to life on the stage.
Overall, the combination of the skill of the actors and the humor made the play fun while still attempting to explicate a topic relevant to all of us today. Still, though, it may not have been enough to stop us from pulling out our phones at the end of the play.
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