Clean House sweeps Black Box Theatre
Karen Wissing
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
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This comedy by Sarah Ruhl is the winner of the PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Awards for Drama this year. The play is directed by Pruitt Taylor Vince, artist in residence.
The Clean House opens with 27-year-old Matilde, played by Rachael Lee Magill. Matilde is a house maid originally from Brazil, depressed from having to clean Lane's (Emily Kirkland) house. Being a student of humor, she would rather be telling jokes or working as a comedian. Matilde's opening monologue mixes humor and sexuality, portraying to the audience her character's wit and strength evident throughout the play.
"The Clean House is a very unique mixture of comedic performance combined with the serious subjects on death and finding one's place in the world. The element of humor within the play really exposes the central theme to Matilde's life philosophy," said Steve Northrop, sophomore, English.
Magill joined the cast a mere four days before the premier and performed spectacularly.
Two surgeons, spouses Charles (James Palmer) and Lane, have their own problems. Charles is leaving Lane for his patient, Ana, played by Jennifer Lynn Warren. To make matters worse, Lane and her sister, Virginia, played by Kelly Mills, lack closeness in their relationship, making communication with each other both awkward and coy. With the stress of her husband's infidelity and problems with her sister, Lane finds herself experiencing strong emotional pain from the people closest to her in her life. However, Lane's character is rigorous. Her opinionated words and actions will lead one to believe change is impossible.
Ana visits the home of Charles and Lane one day, as Charles asks for Lane's forgiveness. Despite Charles and Ana's best attempts to explain their objective situation, Lane is unforgiving, and she orders both of them to leave.
Soon, Charles' newfound "soul mate" redevelops her breast cancer and denies medical treatment. Charles travels to Alaska to obtain a Yew tree to help slow the cancer.
Matilde attempts to convince Lane to live with Ana while Charles is away. Her determination prevails, and Lane begins caring for Ana. As their relationship grows, Lane and Ana become friends, and surprisingly, Lane finds the courage to forgive Ana for her relationship with Charles. If only for one instant, their house is at peace.
While Ana experiences the relapse, she finds comfort in Matilde's steadfast humor. Ana asks Matilde for an unexpected favor, in hopes of easing her pain forever.
What happens when Charles returns from Alaska? I won't ruin it for you; you'll have to see it.
"Overall, it was a fantastic performance by very gifted actors and a beautifully chaotic story symbolic of the chaos of life itself," said Northrop.
Make an effort to see The Clean House if you have the time. It's beautifully different and wonderful.
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