Dead Man�s Cell Phone: T. Ryder Smith to replace Bill Camp on 19 Feb

Playwrights Horizons has announced a cast change for the New York premiere of Dead Man�s Cell Phone, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl that marks the return to the stage of Tony, Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker.

T. Ryder Smith will assume the role of Gordon (the �dead man� of the title) beginning 19 Feb 2008. Smith steps in for cast member Bill Camp, who is currently playing the role in previews.

Mr. Camp is leaving the production due to the fact that the production schedule for his upcoming film (Public Enemies, directed by Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp) has been moved up earlier than originally set.

T. Ryder Smith last appeared at Playwrights Horizons in the premiere of David Greenspan�s 'She Stoops to Comedy.' He previously worked with playwright Sarah Ruhl in The Goodman Theatre�s production of her epic 'Passion Play' (in which he played Queen Elizabeth, Adolph Hitler and Ronald Reagan). He earned a 2002 Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance in 'Underneath the Lintel.' Additional New York credits include 'Thom Pain: Based on Nothing.'

Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man�s Cell Phone began previews at Playwrights Horizons' Main Stage on 8 Feb 2008, where it will open on 4 Mar 2008 as scheduled, and play through to 23 Mar 2008.

Dead Man�s Cell Phone: Gordon (T. Ryder Smith) is dead, but his cell phone lives on. When Jean (Mary-Louise Parker), an empathetic museum worker, answers his ringing phone beside her in a caf�, she is soon playing unwitting comforter and confessor to the man�s grieving friends and family. Before she knows it, Jean�s ensnarled in the underbelly of the dead man�s bizarre life.

The cast for Dead Man�s Cell Phone also features Kathleen Chalfant (Mrs. Gottlieb), David Aaron Baker (Dwight), Carla Harting (The Other Woman) and Kelly Maurer (Hermia).

The creative team comprises G.W. Mercier (sets and costumes), Brian Scott (lighting) and Darron L. West (sound).