Death's Ringtone

We've been trained to answer our cell phones when they ring, or die trying (ignoring them is rude). It's not much of a leap to imagine yourself sitting in a cafe, listening to someone else's ringing leash before you get up and answer it. That's just what Jean, the main character in Dead Man's Cell Phone does--it turns out the guy wasn't answering for the only reason still polite in modern society (you know, death). Jean keeps answering, taking messages, imparting words of wisdom and just making stuff up to comfort the dead guy's loved ones as she's lead further down the rabbit hole of the life of the deceased. Sarah Ruhl, the playwright, is known for taking the commonplace bits and pieces of life and death, and twisting them to offer a different look at the world. The point's obvious here--if you die in a cafe, be considerate and turn off your cell phone (or maybe not). The play is at Stage West, 821 W. Vickery Blvd., Fort Worth. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $24 to $28. Call 817-784-9378 for information.
Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: May 21. Continues through June 14, 2009