Truth and lies: 'Dead Man's Cell Phone' examines communication

View larger image Wayside Theatre Artistic Director Warner Crocker, left, goes through a scene with Kate Kiley, center, who plays Mrs. Gottlieb, and Thomasin Savaiano, as Jean, in the upcoming production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.” Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image From left, actors Savaiano, David Maga, Kiley and Liza Vann rehearse a scene from “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.” The play runs July 17 to Aug. 14 at Wayside Theatre in Middletown. Dennis Grundman/Daily 'Dead Man's Cell Phone' "Dead Man's Cell Phone" runs July 17 through Aug. 14. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Wayside Theatre is at 7853 Main Street in Middletown. The box office phone number is 869-1776. For more information, go online to www.waysidetheatre.org. Club Clickit Enter two win a pair of tickets to see "Dead Man's Cell Phone" at the Wayside Theatre

By Laetitia Clayton -- lclayton@nvdaily.com

MIDDLETOWN -- Wayside Theatre aims to stimulate not only the funny bone, but also the intellect of audience members who attend a performance of "Dead Man's Cell Phone," opening July 17.

The play, a dark comedy written by Sarah Ruhl, had its world premiere at Washington's Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in 2007.

Wayside's Artistic Director Warner Crocker said he heard about the play from colleagues and thought it would work well for Wayside.

"Once a season or so we like to offer our audiences something that works on a really intellectual level," Crocker said. "What [the play is] really about is how we communicate, or not communicate, with each other."

The play begins with a young woman named Jean who answers a cell phone in a local cafe because the incessant ringing a couple of tables away is bothering her. It turns out that the phone's owner is a man named Gordon Gottlieb -- and he has just died sitting up in the cafe.

Through phone conversations with Gottlieb's family, Jean becomes involved with them by pretending she knew him.

"It's like she's giving these people a gift from the departed," Crocker said. "But they're all lies. She tries to restore each of them. ... She absolutely creates this world that turns in on itself. They start to suspect she's lying."

The main reason they suspect Jean is that Gottlieb was in a "nefarious business," Crocker said, and he didn't think his family knew, but they did.

"The hook in the play is something we all deal with," he said. "Cell phones."

Crocker said the script also offers Wayside the opportunity to showcase four great female roles on the theater's stage. Two male roles round out the six-person cast.

Thomasin Savaiano, a veteran Wayside actor, plays Jean. But she said she doesn't think of it as a lead role.

"She has to be in contact with the others in the play," Savaiano said of Jean. "It's a very surreal play."

David Maga, another Wayside veteran, plays Gottlieb's brother, Dwight Gottlieb. He said the play is about "how people perceive people differently after they die."

Savaiano added that it's "how people find their peace after a loved one is gone."
Wayside newcomer Kate Kiley portrays the deceased's mother, Mrs. Gottlieb, while Katherine Yacko plays his mistress and Liza Vann, his widow. Ricky Hesson is Gordon Gottlieb.

Even though the cell phone is used mainly as a catalyst in the play, Kiley said it also shows how technology can isolate us.

But, Savaiano pointed out, "When [Jean] finally hits the crisis point, the cell phone is useless to her."

Through all her lies, Jean "learns how to live a real honest life" by the end of the play, she said.

Although "Dead Man's Cell Phone" may not sound like it contains comedy, Crocker assures that it does -- mostly from Jean.

"She's doing and discovering things about herself, she's almost oblivious. She reacts without thinking about it," he said. "If it were the '70s, she would've been Annie Hall. In the '80s, she would be Sally in 'When Harry Met Sally.' She's that type of character. She is most of the comedy."

What makes the comedy dark at times are the issues it deals with, he said.

Crocker said the play is not recommended for children because of some strong language and sexual conversations. But he hopes the adults will enjoy it.

"It's a great commentary on the world we live in today," he said. "We seem to have forsaken the truth. We have become a society where we reward those who lie the best. And this play addresses that."