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When a woman answers a ringing cellphone in a cafe, her life takes on a new twist as she realizes the phone's owner is dead. Things Unseen Theatre's production of "Dead Man's Cell Phone" promises to make you laugh while pondering the paradoxes presented by modern technology.
"We have a great cast and it's quite funny, but also philosophical and thoughtful," said Valerie Stratton, Things Unseen Theatre Co. co-artistic director.
Written by Sarah Ruhl, the play will be staged at the Church in the Middle of the Block Cultural Center at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 to 5, 11 to 12 and 2 p.m. Nov. 6.
Director Thomas Liszka, a retired English professor from Penn State Altoona, has been active in local community theater for years.
"I really loved the idea of directing this play, both because it's so off the wall and because the actors have a lot of leeway on how they develop their parts," he said. "My cast has been amazing in the creativity they are bringing to their roles and to the comedy in general. The play has a personal attraction for me because, as anyone who knows me knows, I've gone very slowly and reluctantly into the cellphone era, kicking and screaming all the way. And this is a play which examines whether this modern technology can really keep us together, alive and in love."
The play premiered in 2007 in Washington, D.C., where it received the Helen Hayes Award for best new production. It also has been produced off-Broadway and in Britain.
In it, Jean, played by Tara Enedy, is annoyed by an unanswered cellphone in a sleepy cafe. After answering the phone and realizing the owner, Gordon, played by David Boyer, is dead, she becomes fascinated with and involved in the lives of his friends and family.
"It's really a very funny off-beat comedy with themes involving mortality, love, the afterlife, modern technology and fatty meat," said Liszka, whose credits include directing five shows for Things Unseen and Altoona Community Theatre, including "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Doll's House."
Liszka also has played "too many roles to list," but his favorites include the Hermit in "Young Frankenstein" and Prospero in "The Tempest." He also enjoys designing and building sets and is most proud of the complicated courthouse in ACT's "To Kill a Mockingbird" earlier this year.
Liszka praised his technical staff and the cast, calling Enedy "a really honest and talented actress;" she most recently directed "Sky Girls" for Things Unseen.
Robin Reese, who plays Gordon's "steamy mistress," is "an absolutely creative person," he said. She studied at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City, has worked off-Broadway and off-off Broadway and currently is on the theater faculty at Penn State Altoona.
Edith Pena, who plays Gordon's "dragon lady mother," is a newcomer to the stage "who has been completely open to exploring all her role demands of her," said Liszka.
He called Boyer a "multi-talented guy" having been in such diverse roles as Donkey in ACT's "Shrek" and Tom Robinson in ACT's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Aaron James is a "solid actor" most recently appearing in Things Unseen's "Bad Jews." He plays Gordon's "gently lovelorn brother," according to Liszka.
Liszka's long-time friend, Amy Misera, plays Gordon's "emotionally icy wife," and she has "thrilled audiences" as the lead in ACT's "Sweeney Todd" and "Blood Brothers," he said.
The intimate setting of the Church in the Middle of the Block means there's not enough room for an elaborate setting, as has been seen locally in "Shrek" and "To Kill a Mockingbird," Liszka noted.
"So without all the technical magic to rely on, the emphasis is always squarely on the acting," he said. "And I love that."
Liszka said most age groups would love seeing it, and, there are only a couple of "bad words" in it.
"People should go to the show to be entertained, but not by mindless pablum," he said. "This is really intelligent subject matter. … But it isn't adults only. I think everyone from junior high school to my degree of senility would enjoy it thoroughly."
Mirror Staff Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.