Feb. 15-17, 21-24—POMFRET— Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House” will be performed at The Grange Theatre Feb. 15, 16, 17 and Feb. 21, 22, 23, and 24. BarnArts Center for the Arts is producing the show.
“The Clean House” was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 and is one of Ruhl’s most beloved plays. A romantic comedy about love, loss, change and redemption, it takes place in what the author describes as “metaphysical Connecticut,” mostly in the home of a married couple who are both doctors. They have hired a housekeeper named Matilde, an aspiring comedian from Brazil who’s more interested in coming up with the perfect joke than in house cleaning. Lane, the lady of the house, has an eccentric sister named Virginia who’s just nuts about house cleaning. She and Matilde become fast friends, and Virginia takes over the cleaning while Matilde works on her jokes. Trouble comes when Lane’s husband Charles reveals that he has found his soul mate, or “bashert” in a cancer patient named Ana, on whom he has operated.
The play touches on the interwoven humanity in loss and love and is ultimately a story of compassion (and the purpose of humor) told through the semi-surreal and playful perspective of Sarah Ruhl. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. each night, except for the two Sunday performances, which are 2 p.m. matinees. To purchase tickets, email info@barnarts.org or visit barnarts.org. The Grange Theatre is located at 65 Stage Road, South Pomfret.
