(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Performance artist Douglass Truth will present his one-woman show “An Intimate Evening with Death, Herself,” at Lauren Clark Fine Art from Thursday, August 11, through Sunday, August 14. In the show, Dorothy, a middle-aged waitress, meets Death in a bar. He’s unhappy, bored, and ready for something new. So is she. They repair to a Denny’s Restaurant for a snack. And, after 49 solid days in a back booth at a Denny’s restaurant, she replaces him.

As Dorothy herself says, “We met. One thing led to another — as usual — and now I’m it. Death. And with all due respect for the previous occupant, our new regime is going to be all about a friendlier face for Death, including education, outreach, and much more.”

As one example she cites the new Death Pre-Registration Card that allows you to set up an account, get a minion assigned to your case, as well as make a list of your life regrets before you die. “It’s amazingly handy and easy to use,” says Dorothy.

While Death is unfortunately still mandatory, Dorothy claims that there are exciting new options and upgrades in the works. “You can’t cheat Death,” she says, “but you can work with me.”

Douglass Truth is a painter, writer, and performer. He has been represented by galleries in New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, Indiana, and California. He is the author of three books: “I Am a Dog,” “Revolution of Flowers,” and “Everything I Know about Death, Subject to Verification.” Truth lives — for now — in Nevada City, Calif., but is contemplating opening a small teahouse somewhere in Montana.