Usually, it’s just Facebook friends that linger on for months or even years after they checkout.
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Rachel Williams, makes it clear that dying is not so simple if a stranger picks up your cell phone after you have croaked.
This play might cause you to question your connected lifestyle. To wonder if your so-called friends would ever call you if they hadn’t heard from you in while. Maybe you will think about your relationship with Mom—is she really proud of you?
This fast-moving play runs through March 8 at the BTL or Between the Lines Studio Theatre at 725 N. 15th St., Allentown, Pa.
Jeremy Melendez is fantastic as he plays both brothers, Gordon and Dwight. He skillfully weaves between the light and dark of life and afterlife.
Melendez breathes life into dead Gordon as he emerges from the shadows.
As brother Dwight, he is goofy in love with a rather mysterious interloper.
Jean (Kirsten Almeida) fascinates as she transitions from just a woman who just likes soup to some kind of cell tower channeler of whatever people need to hear. Well done!
Jane Steffen (The Other Woman/The Stranger), puts a lot of alure into the “other woman” role. She has a look, a stage presence and range of emotion that invite interest.
Genia Miller (Mrs. Gottlieb) is awesome as a mother who, with Jean’s channeling, realizes her dear (some might say creepy) son, Gordon, loved her after all.
Miller sparkles in this role as she navigates her grief and her suspicion about the new girl that has materialized in the family circle.
Hermia (Lisa Gump) is integral to the story as she excels as Gordon’s bereaved (or maybe relieved) wife.
Being a newly-made widow is tough of mysterious man, but Gump realistically brings the role to life.
Tera Williams gets credit as Stage Manager and for Lighting Design. Williams sets the stage with minimalist props and lighting which dramatizes the living and dead with a low-light scheme.
While it creates a half-world reminiscent of the Greek myths’ shades of Hades, it also makes the hand-walked poster board messages hard to read, costing some intended humor.
Erin Sten is the Stage Manager. Great job! This play flows easily from one scene to the next.
Benjamin Ruth gets credit as Fight Coordinator. The actors pack the fight scenes with realistic action.
Intimacy Coordinator Mackenzie Alexander Hall shines here. The romance scenes bring out the awkwardness of first love.
For Tickets: https://betweenthelinestheatre.com/