From a press release:
TheatreUNCA opens fall season with “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”
Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative comedy by Sara Ruhl, will open TheatreUNCA’s fall season, with performances Oct. 9-11 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 at 2 p.m., in Carol Belk Theatre on campus.
Described as a “beguiling comedy,” by the New York Times when it opened off-Broadway in 2008, Dead Man’s Cell Phone begins with incessant ringing by the title device in a public place, and draws the woman who answers into the lives of the deceased’s loved ones. Mary-Louise Parker starred in the off-Broadway production. Sophomore Caroline Dischell will play the role for TheatreUNCA, portraying a loner who, via cell phone, becomes enmeshed in close relationships with strangers in this surrealist fantasy about the impact of technology.
Cell phones and texting have made it “simultaneously easier and harder to for us to connect,” said Steph Hickling Beckman who will serve as guest director. “We not only need never look anyone in the eye, we no longer need to even speak to one another.” Hickling Beckman has been active in Asheville’s theatre scene for almost two decades; she co-founded and serves as managing artistic director of Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective.
Also featured in the all-student cast will be Patrick Millwater, Coleen Scott, Roxanne Snider, Catherine Stephens, and Arthur Verde. Lighting and sound design is by Rob Bowen, UNC Asheville professor of drama, with assistance from student Tyler Price. Costume design is by Igor Roussanoff, lecturer in drama, assisted by student Carina Lopez. Set design and props are by Jack Lindsay, technical direction is by Sylvia Pierce, and Alison Tippin is assistant director.
General admission tickets are $12; $10 for senior citizens and UNC Asheville faculty; and $7 for students and members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Tickets can be purchased online at https://drama.unca.edu/theatreunca-2014-2015-mainstage-season, by phone at 828.232.2291 or at the box office, which opens 90 minutes before curtain.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.