The Merced College Theatre Society is staging the dark comedy “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” by playwright Sarah Ruhl.

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet cafe. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man – with a lot of loose ends. So begins “Dead Man's Cell Phone,” the odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world.

Described as a “surrealistic” comedy, Ruhl’s play raises challenging questions about human interactions and communication in contemporary society. It won the Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play in 2007. It is recommended for mature audiences.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. July 24, 25, and 26 and 2 p.m. July 27. Tickets: $10 general admission; $8 students, seniors, and Carnegie Members. Tickets are available at the door for each performance.