For the pandemic-weary, texting-savvy masses, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has a telephone theatrical experience to soothe or stimulate, alleviate or agitate, depending on how you “let your fingers do the walking.”
From now until Sunday, April 11, The Rep, together with the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Telephonic Literary Union, presents “Human Resources,” a unique and interactive audio experience through your smartphone.
Using an access code to dial in, a variety of selections await, including one for those who want to “file a claim for unhappiness” or those who want to talk with someone from the “Department of Conscious Rearrangement.” There’s also an option to be “on hold forever.”
“’Human Resources’ is an innovative artistic balm for our pandemic isolation,” said The Rep’s artistic director Hana Sharif. “Whether you stay on the line for three minutes or 30, there are so many options to explore and delightful nuggets to uncover.”
With the push of a button, callers navigate through a playful, tongue-in-cheek labyrinth of a customer service hotline, allowing them to pick their own adventure. Department “representatives” offer a smorgasbord of “advice,” whether you’re depressed, lonely or just unsatisfied with an online purchase.
The voices on the other end are actors from Telephonic Literary Union, a group of playwrights who makes stories for small audiences using phones. The production features new works by playwrights Brittany K. Allen, Christopher Chen, Hansol Jung, Sarah Lunnie, Stowe Nelson, Zeniba Now and Yuvika Tolani, as well as the vocal talents of Marc Bovino, David Greenspan, Jin Ha, Mia Katigbak, Brian Quijada and Ikechukwu Ufomadu.
Tickets are $7 each and include a private access code for the “Human Resources” phone line. The code is good for four days after you receive it. Use a cell phone for full functionality; explore at your own pace, hang up and call back any time.
For tickets, call (314) 968-4925 or visit repstl.org.
