Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl Essay

Mobile phones are an indispensable element of our society; they are both a blessing and a curse. Dead Man's Cell Phone authored by Sarah Ruhl, was aired in Gregory Family Theatre at Gregory Mason University on October 4th, 6th, 12th, and 14th 2017 (School of Theater). The play explored how a woman is forced to encounter her assumptions about morality, redemption, and the demand to connect with a world that is technologically driven. The play provides a highlight of how the cell phone can connect and confound. The first time I heard about the show, the topic was captivating. The initial thoughts were how most people rely on their cell phones for daily activities. Most mobile phones store an individual's secrets such as their relationships, credit numbers, work progress, and family. While the topic and the play offers a general philosophy concerning cell phones, it is more of a paradoxical issue that unites and isolates.

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It is surprising that the gadget that one is requested to turn-off when the theatre lights go off or when in a meeting, becomes a potent totem of transformation in the play. The play commences with Jean, a woman who gets irritated at a cafe when a man does not answer his incessantly ringing mobile phone. Jean realizes that the man is dead and out of curiosity she answers every call that comes through. The audience is overwhelmed with suspense as the acts unfold. The spectators are immensely devoted towards understanding what happens in the end because the play is something they can relate on a deeper level. Everyone has their secrets embedded in a cell phone.

Mary Burgess, the producer of the play states that the idea is to provoke a discussion of how our lives are affected by technology. Before the play started, she stated that working at George Mason University has made her realize how much students are engaged in their cell phones. It is surprising how the students cannot maintain eye contact or have a deeper human connection because of the gadgets. It is disappointing and heart-breaking to see how they are trying so hard to be connected with people through the mobile phones, but they are disconnected to the people surrounding them.

When the Jean answers the cell phone, she resumes a crazy journey of assuming his life. Jean life changes because she is not executing her life but rather that of a newly deceased man. The play consists of six characters who range from freshman to senior students and they perform the play in an exemplary manner. The costumes and props integrated are modern fashion because the play is based on the contemporary period (School of Theater). There is a current setting with several levels of painting to illustrate that not all actions are happening in the current world. The play exists in two worldly dimensions- the world of the living and the world of the dead.

As I watched the play, I noticed how technology isolates and unites people. On some other level, it could portray how cell phones affect our daily interactions. The play is thought-provoking because initially, I thought it was going to represent how technology is dangerous, but it has helped me understand that we (people) need to live our lives to the fullest and not allow our gadgets isolate us from reality. The play was quite timely because it provides the existence of our world. Technology will enable us to connect, but it should not dictate how we are living our lives. Technology should not be our way of escaping from reality because it would mean that we are missing out on experience.

The design of the play was utterly fantastical engaging with the audience flow. The production was impacting and sensuously stunning that illustrated the artistic choices execute by the designers. The resources provided ensured that the reality of the Dead Man's Cell Phone was relatable. The play included an original sound space, projection, and an exemplary set that created an impressive experience of sound, visual, and theatrical art (Harris). The production team installed their best works to ensure that the audience derives the best experience. They were committed to producing an excellent show that was both bold and funny. The play extended to be beautiful, magical, and compelling delivering the message home. The production team went far and beyond without settling to realize their dream and sharing it with the university fraternity.

Conclusion

The actors were empathetic and competent in their role sustaining a moralizing and educational play. The actors were energetic and operated in harmony provoking what happens in life and afterlife. The white clouds and blue sky represented an imaginative world, and the semi-transparent screens evoked an exciting effect. Producer Mary Burgess ensures we question the role of technology in our lives and the play makes the audience self-conscious about cell phones in public. The show delivers a conceptual depth where one might not utilize their gadget the same ways as they did before the performance, but they might never perceive death similarly.

Works Cited

Harris, Anita. "Theatre Review". Signal Tribune Newspaper, 2017, http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/?p=34203. Accessed 1 May 2018.

School of Theater. "Current Season". Theater.Gmu.Edu, 2018, http://theater.gmu.edu/performances/current_season.html. Accessed 1 May 2018.