A million dollars buys a lot of things, but can it buy your life?

Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts Theatre presents “The Dead Guy,” a satirical look at reality television and the viewing public’s obsession with other people’s lives, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb 19-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Wilner Auditorium on the WSU main campus.

For down-on-his-luck Eldon Phelps, life has hit a dead end. Then reality TV producer Gina Yaweth offers him the deal of a lifetime.

The pitch? One million dollars to spend over the next seven days. A camera crew will follow his every move and broadcast his adventures on national television.

The hook? At the end of the week … he dies.

The best part? The viewing audience gets to vote on the method of Eldon’s death.

For Eldon, the deal is irresistible, but does his family have the stomach for this much reality? Does America?

“The Dead Guy”

The production is directed by theater instructor Danette Baker, with theater students Megan Hanson, stage manager, and Zoja Biro, assistant stage manager. The cast includes students Anthony Gasbarre, Rian Leigh, Deiondre Teagle, Leah Heathcote, Kyle Dilley, Melanie Calvery, Kristen Bock, Veniese Razo and Trevor Comstock. WSU student designers are Chelsey Erskin (sets), Alyce Murphy (costumes), Joe Asbridge (lights) and Christine Siemon (props).

Video support for the play is provided by Greg Matthias and Garrick Enright of WSU’s Media Resources Center.

Playwright Eric Coble, author of “The Dead Guy,” will be in residence at Wichita State from Feb. 19-ÂÂÂ21, and the School of Performing Arts will host two special events during that time: a “Meet the Playwright” reception, held immediately after the opening night performance Feb. 19, and a writing workshop from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 21. Both events take place in Wilner Auditorium and are free and open to the public, however reservations are required for the workshop. Call 316-978-3360 to make a reservation.

For tickets, contact the WSU Box Office at 316-978-3233 or online at wichita.fineartsboxoffice. General admission is $10, $8 for military, seniors, faculty and staff, $6 for non-WSU students and free for WSU students with ID. The Dead Guy is rated PG-13, and is sponsored by KMUW.