Dead Man's Cell Phone (TCG Edition)

Jean is in a restaurant when Gordon the man sitting near her dies. She calls 911 and stays with the body until they arrive. So far her behavior is normal. What I could not understand was why she felt such love for a man she never met.Visiting his mistress and telling her that Gordon thought of her last. She then meets his mother at the funeral and goes to the house to dine.Enjoyed the romance between Jean and Dwight, Gordon's brother.I understand she was being nice telling each person lies so they could have a good memory of Gordon. That is understandable but rushing to the airport to make sure his last illegal organ was received was weird. This was a man who transported illegal organs and she thinks she will just step in at the end.I guess my main problem with this play was how stupid Jean appears. I must admit it was a funny play and definitely had great moments. It was just the reactions by the main protagonist that made no sense. I may be over-analyzing the play. It was definitely fun with engaging characters.I liked the character Gordon being brought in to explain himself. I also loved the ending.

Sarah has shocked me again. Not in a may you uncomfortable way, but in an uncomfortable way. (She works in the odd. See "IN THE NEXT ROOM") In "Dead Man's Cell Phone" - We're (the audience) has to deal with death, and the effects of death on the family. We find our heroine odd but well-meaning; likewise we find our dead man important, needed, good? Sucked into the journey by scene 3 of the fast paced 1st Act, you are encouraged to continually deal with the peculiarities of what makes us uncomfortable about each other and our peculiarities of self. Deeply questioning.Richly peculiar and funny. Just down right funny. You will enjoy where you end up by the end of Act 2. Great what next play.

This is a contemporary expressionistic/surrealistic view of a woman who investigates a dead man's family by tracing the information in his cell phone. There are some clever black comic moments, such as when the cell phone owner dies, dinner is experienced with his mother and his family and the romance which springs between the dead man's brother and the cell phone woman. However, the plot becomes too far fetched when the profession of the dead man is depicted---he sells and ships dead body parts for transplants. Ruhl tries to paint a black comic society of users and those trapped within routines. However, her symbolism ans expressionism fall short since she does not use them judiciously. Everything becomes exaggerated here--including the romance between the brother and the cell phone discovery woman. The plot and atmosphere become too MUCH ALL OF ONE--TOO MUCH THE SAME; SO THAT CONTRASTS AND DELINEATIONS BECOME MUDDLED INTO A MASHED UP CHAOTIC UNIVERSE.

"You remind me of a casserole. Has anyone ever told you that?"This play is great. At first glance and even first initial read, it's hard to tell what this play is even about. It's a love story at the expense of a dead man and his family. It's funny, ridiculous, and charming in the best of ways.

It was a quirky, romantic, queasy, unusual tale that stretches from the randomness of living and dying to the intamacy of our desires and insecurities. I loved it.

As always, Sarah Ruhl delivers a truly unique and well thought out storyline with very human characters. While the play can be very dreamy I also found myself connecting with every character in some way. This is a contemporary masterpiece!

Imagine entering someone's life through his cell phone...meeting the people in his life and becoming his surrogate every time the phone rings. Makes us all wonder what people will say about us after we are gone. Dead Man's Cell Phone gives us cause to pause and re-examine the footprints we leave behind. A marvelous play and a good read.

Interesting play. It would require a truly experienced and insightful director. Casting could be a clever enhancement. Probably not an audience favorite.

I quite liked this play but found it sort of lost its way and became a bit far fetched. Decided against putting it on stage in the end.