Barrington’s Parker Players presents the surreal comedy ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’
Parker Players Theater Company continues its production of Sarah Ruhl’s “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” at The Barrington, 540 W. Northwest Hwy. in Barrington. The play, directed by Richard Dominick, opened on Oct. 17 and continues through Nov. 9.
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” explores the unexpected ripple effects that begin when Jean, an otherwise ordinary woman, answers a cell phone ringing at a table in a cafe — the phone of a stranger who has just died. From there she is swept into a whirlwind of eccentric relatives, a grieving widow, a flirtation with the afterlife, and the ways that technology mediates and distorts identity, connection, memory, and grief.
The cast features: Gabor Mark as A Dead Man/Gordon; Jennifer McHugh as A Woman/Jean; Marge Uhlarik-Boller as Mrs. Gottlieb, Gordon’s mother; Danielle Zuckerman as The Other Woman/The Stranger; Jocelyn Adamski as Hermia, Gordon’s widow; and Dean Gallagher as Dwight, Gordon’s brother.
Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $35. The doors and bar open one hour prior to showtime. No exchanges or refunds once tickets are purchased.
The creative team includes: Dan McHugh and Emily Douville, scenic design; Ray Harris, light and sound design; Judy Tolle, costume design: Marilou Niggemann, properties designer; Marcela Ferrarone, stage manager; and Alison Dorneheggen, fight choreography.
Why this matters
In a time when digital devices dominate communication, “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” offers a fresh lens into how technology shapes our relationships, our grief, and our sense of self.
Under Dominick’s direction, this production aims to provoke reflection as much as it entertains — using surreal moments and comedic twists to illuminate universal truths about love, loss, and the voices we leave behind.
About Parker Players Theater Company
Parker Players is a small theater company serving Barrington and the surrounding area. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission is to deliver high-quality theater that bridges the gap between audience and artist. The company hosts a full season of productions, embraces new and thought-provoking works, and fosters community connection through the arts.