Stockton Civic Theatre (SCT) proudly presents Dead Man’s Cell Phone as its 400th main stage production for its 67th season. SCT’s Artistic Director, Dennis Beasley will be directing this contemporary play written by Sarah Ruhl. It premiered in 2007, and was nominated for seven Helen Hayes Awards, winning for Outstanding New Play.
Variety magazine says, “Sarah Ruhl’s zany probe of the razor-thin line between life and death delivers a fresh and humorous look at the times we live in.” Beasley says in his director’s notes, “playwright, Sarah Ruhl, has written this funny, quirky, and sometimes sad and dark play about all of the different ways we try to connect in our contemporary world and about the consequences of our need to connect.”
Dead Man’s Cell Phone follows Jean whose life is altered forever just because she answers a stranger’s cell phone. Jean insinuates herself into the lives of all who are associated with the man who owns the cell phone because of her need to connect to others in a technology-obsessed world. Keeping with the theme of modern technology, the production design relies heavily on projections, lighting, and sound using minimal set pieces.
The small cast includes many returning faces to SCT productions as well as those in recent shows. In order of appearance are Jenny Key (Unnecessary Farce) as Jean, Martin Lehman (You Can’t Take It With You/Addams Family) as Gordon Gottlieb, Brent Alan Dirksen (A Little Night Music) as Dwight Gottlieb, Sabrina Willis Bartram (SCT debut) as Hermia Gottlieb, Peggy Coleman (Calendar Girls) as Mrs. Harriet Gottlieb, Melissa Esau (Addams Family) as The Other Woman and The Stranger, along with SCT newcomers Nick Hardin and Aliyah Torres in the ensemble.
Dead Man’s Cell Phone is Dennis Beasley’s second directing opportunity here in his second season with Stockton Civic Theatre, most recently on Addams Family. The production staff leads are Set Designer Christopher “CJ” Martin and Technical Director Brian Johnson, Annette McKay (costumes), Nichole Pendley (lighting), Craig Vincent (sound), and Fight Choreographer Sydney Schwindt. Putsy Lew Hong is the Stage Manager.
WHAT: Stockton Civic Theatre presents Dead Man’s Cell Phone by playwright Sarah Ruhl.
WHEN: April 25-May 12, 2018, 7:30 p.m. evenings for Wednesday preview, Thursday-Saturdays. Matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.
WHERE: The Clyde Nielsen Auditorium at Stockton Civic Theatre, 2312 Rosemarie Lane, Stockton, CA
TICKETS AND INFO: Admission is $27 for adults and $22 for seniors, $15 for students and children. Tickets for the Wednesday (April 25) preview performance are $16 for adults and seniors and $15 for students and children. All Saturday nights (April 28, May 5 and May 12) tickets are two for $27 (Saturday 2 for 1 tickets are available by contacting Box Office directly, no online sales). Due to Mother’s Day, this production does not have a final Sunday performance. For tickets and more details, go to sctlivetheatre.com or call 209-473-2424