— A review by Margie Doyle —
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It’s a puzzle, a tapestry and very much a hoot!
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” opened to a capacity crowd at Orcas Center’s Black Box last night, rewarding the audience with quick-paced commentary on love and connections in a slick, enthralling production, directed by Robert Hall
In this age of texting, twittering and cellphones, eloquence, and even passion are prized qualities that “Dead Man” has in spades. Written in 2007, this play by Sarah Ruhl gives us quirky, exaggerated characters that come to life in lyrical and biting dialogue following the death of Gordon. Though he has passed away, his cell phone — his primary connector to those he loves (and sells — see the play) — continues to call to him.
The naive and helpful Jean, played by Jessica Diamond, picks up his phone and takes ownership of the connections he’s established or rejected in life. She says to the now-dead Gordon, played by Kelly Toombs, “How did you die so quietly? I’ll stay with you, Gordon.” As Jean comes to know Gordon through his family, she tries to address their pain by speaking for Gordon, often making up conversations that she wished Gordon had had with those closest to him.
Hall says the wildly absurd and provocative play, is really about human connections, though so many of us increasingly make those connections through mechanical devices. What follows is the journey of a woman through the stranger’s family — his wife, mother, brother, and mistress — to connect and to heal; ultimately to love.
Kelly Toombs is in top form as Gordon, who, though he dies in the very first scene, returns after intermission from the afterlife to deliver an eloquently narcissistic monologue with a conviction that makes the audience question what we as humans have relinquished in the name of success.
Jessica Diamond as Jean portrays innocence, enthusiasm and goodness as she faces the traps of life — death, love and family. She has a physical grace and complete understanding of her character, and she shines.
Luann Pamatian plays the shrewish, outrageous mother with sharp delivery and passionate vehemence. R. Travis King plays the less-begotten younger brother who falls in love with Jean with quiet confidence that fully connects his character with the audience, in contrast to his brother’s moral relativity and self-absorption. Michelle Cartier plays the “other woman” with a joyous rebellion that keeps the audience hanging on to her every, heavily-accented word and Susie Shipman plows through her character’s role, delivering some of the most squirm-worthy, difficult lines with the unself-conscious irony of the high-maintenance wife, now widow.
Shipman, it should be noted, stepped into this role with 10 days’ notice, after cast member Dove Dingman had to withdraw due to injury. Shipman herself marvels at her performance: afterwards she says, “I can’t stop talking like Hermia!” In the opening night performance, she — like all the cast members — never misses a beat, nor takes a false step. It’s hard to believe that, with the exception of Toombs and Pamatian, this is the first on-stage performance by the “Dead Man” cast.
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will run for five more performances, June 23-24 and Jun. 30-Jul. 1, 7:30 pm., also at 2 p.m on Sunday, July 2. Tickets for “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” are $17, $13 for students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased now at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-3 pm. $5 subsidized tickets available at the Box Office.
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This is another Orcas Center “must see.”
The cast works extremely well together, and every one of them has slid effortlessly into place in the ensemble. Even their Noo Yawk accents sound right.
And, it’s funny! It’ll elicit belly laughs, certainly, but the most fun is that you’ll never stop chuckling.
And the set. Oh, my Lord, the set. Mondrian meets Calder, plus ticky-tacky.
Go see this show!
This is a piece of outstanding theater. The themes are important. The hazard of technology is that it can sweep us out of our own good sense. Here is that tendency on stage. The acting of odd characters was exceptional, as is the dancing choreographed stunningly by Tiffany, and done smoothly by the dancers. Talent all around us! Don’t miss this unique performance.
Highly recommend. This little island has so much talent!
I saw the play last night and am totally in awe of the job the actors, many of them new to the stage, brought to challenging roles. I echo the compliments handed out in the article and other comments. If you live on Orcas, just try never ever to miss a play that Robert Hall directs; every one I have seen has been stunning, in its own way. Sunday is a matinee – not sure if tickets are left but go an hour early and get your name on a wait list if you need to. Such a lot of humanity portrayed in a uproarious and off-the-wall production. “So much fun!” was the predominant comment I heard from folks leaving the performance at the close of last evening.