Mystery, humor meet in SASA’s production of ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’

From Nov. 12 to Nov. 16, the SASA department staged Dead Man’s Cell Phone in the Syse Theatre, 108 Kleinpell Fine Arts, under the direction of student director Michael Kerr.

The imaginative comedy, written by Sarah Ruhl, centers on a ringing cellphone, a dead man and a stranger who decides to answer it. The play premiered in 2007 and won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Play.

The production featured Aspen Snyder as Gordon, the dead man whose unanswered phone sets the story in motion; Emerson Fahey as Hermia, Gordon’s conflicted widow; Angela Siedschlag as Mrs. Gottlieb, his sharp-tongued mother; Kaci Wallin as The Stranger, tied to Gordon’s hidden life; Wren Manivanh as Dwight, Gordon’s gentle brother; and Alana Forliti as Jean, the well-meaning stranger who answers the phone and becomes entangled in Gordon’s world.

After Jean discovers Gordon’s death in a café, she attends his funeral, where Mrs. Gottlieb delivers a blunt eulogy before inviting Jean for a conversation. Jean later meets Dwight, and the two bond over the technology that connected them.

In the second act, Gordon reveals his views on technology, describing how it alienated him from friends. Jean and Dwight grow closer, but Hermia drunk-calls Jean, suspecting Gordon had a mistress. The truth emerges when Jean learns Gordon was involved in an organ business and did have a mistress.

The cast and crew conveyed themes of connection, memory and grief while exploring the impact of technology on human relationships. Kerr’s direction was praised for bringing the story to life and guiding the ensemble.

The next production is Dracula, a gothic play following Mina Seward, her father, lover and friend as they unravel the mystery of Count Dracula. Performances run Dec. 4–7 at the Davis Theatre, presented by the UWRF Masquers Theatre and directed by Calista Robinson. Tickets are available at the box office.