University of Redlands Theatre Arts Department presents The Ruhl Plays: Dead Man’s Cell Phone and Eurydice
The University of Redlands Theatre Arts Department presents two plays by one of America’s most intriguing new playwrights, MacArthur Genius and Pulitzer finalist, Sarah Ruhl. The two plays, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a poetic comedy exploring how this revolutionary device both unites and isolates; and Eurydice, the Greek myth as reinterpreted through Eurydice’s experience of the pleasures and pains of memory. Each of these plays considers the existence of a “cosmic pipeline” and to what extent “love” fuels an interconnection between this life and the afterlife. Is love forgotten or is it eternal?
In Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Jean answers a stranger’s phone, and this starts a fantastical journey that includes finding love, traveling to South Africa, dying, learning how heaven works and finally returning to life.
Eurydice employs both comic and tragic tactics to shape this modern look at the Greek myth about love, longing and reconciliation. In the play, the lord of the underworld rides a bike, and the father builds his daughter a room of string in the land of the dead, while a chorus of stones guards the entrance to the underworld.
WHAT: Directed by Chris Beach, the evening includes elements of dance, circus and magic. The costume and scenic designs by Nephelie Andonyadis depict two vastly different and strangely beautiful worlds. Trevor Norton’s lighting design evokes the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch and Edward Hopper. Chad Ohlheiser’s sound design merges ancient and modern vocabulary, and Kirsten Johansen’s choreography and movement is at once eerie and jubilant.
The evening runs just over 2 hours, including intermission.
Additionally, the Glenn Wallichs Theatre lobby will artfully display the pre-production process including power point highlights of the scenic and costume design.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 4th, Thursday, April 5th, & Friday, April 6th, at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 7th, at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Glenn Wallichs Theatre, University of Redlands
1200 East Colton Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373
University St., between Colton Ave. & Citrus Ave.
TICKETS:
Tickets for the event are available by calling (909)748-8028
$12 general admission
$ 8 with university ID
$ 8 senior citizens
For more information, please visit the website www.redlands.edu/theatrearts.asp or call the Theatre Arts Department at (909)748-8028 or (909)748-8728.