On June 10 and 11 at 7:00 p.m., the Jamesville-DeWitt High School Drama Club will be performing “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” by Sarah Ruhl. This is the club’s second full-length production and third live production this school year.
The play centers around Jean, played by junior Tara Pollock, a woman who answers the cell phone of a dead man in a cafe. She keeps the phone, which ultimately leads her on a journey through the complex issues of loss, connection, and redemption, including a date with the dead man’s brother, a drinking binge with his widow, and a strange encounter with his mistress. The play runs for about 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
According to Assistant Director Persephone Van Buren, “This show is special because it’s a psychological thriller in its own way. There’s something so unnerving about watching the characters seem so comfortable in their oddities and that’s what makes it engaging; the play gives you a lot to think about.”
Building on previous shows, this play is completely student-run. It is directed by two students, Anka Chiorini (‘23) and Persephone Van Buren (‘25), and features a student cast and production team. The show also features original music by senior Max Oppedisano.
Similar to the fall play, this show has a unique seating arrangement. Audience members will sit in chairs on the stage, allowing them to be very close to the action. This seating arrangement severely limits the number of available seats, so anyone interested in seeing the show should buy a ticket as soon as possible.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the link below.
