The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park wants your
theatergoing experience to be as enjoyable as possible. Following
is a list of content within The Clean House that may
be of concern to some members of our audience. Please
understand that some information may give away surprises within
the story. The information is provided to help you make
informed decisions. Keep in mind, however, that the language and
themes outlined below, taken out of context, may seem more offensive
than they would be within the context of the actual play. This
information will continue to be updated until the opening of the
show to address any changes that may occur throughout the rehearsal
process. Please check back often. |
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Matilde is a young Brazilian woman who has been hired as the
live-in maid to Lane, a high-powered doctor. The problem is that
cleaning makes Matilde sad. The daughter of the “funniest
people in Brazil” whose mother literally died laughing,
Matilde yearns to tell jokes instead. She longs to discover the
perfect joke, but fears that, when she does, it will kill her.
Lane, however, just wants her house cleaned, but she feels uncomfortable
giving Matilde orders. Fortunately for Matilde, Lane’s
sister Virginia lives to clean and sees the work as a way to
guarantee progress in life. She offers Matilde a proposition:
With her own home already tidy by 3:00p.m. each day, she’ll
come and clean her sister’s home before Lane returns from
work. Virginia will feel more fulfilled, and Matilde can spend
the extra time finding her joke.
The deal seems to be working perfectly, until, one day, Virginia
and Matilde find evidence that Lane’s perfect life is not
as tidy as it seems. This is confirmed when Lane shares the news
that her husband Charles, a surgeon, has fallen in love with
one of his mastectomy patients and is planning to leave her.
To make matters worse, Lane also discovers that Virginia has
been cleaning the house instead of Matilde, and she fires her
maid. At the same time, Charles shows up at the front door of
their home with his new love. He believes the woman, Ana, is
his soul mate, and he wants them all to get to know each other.
Of course, Lane balks at the idea. Meanwhile Ana, who is Argentinian,
invites Matilde to come work for them. Despite having dismissed
her, Lane decides she wants Matilde to stay. Matilde offers to
split her time between the two houses.
Matilde is happy with the new arrangement, but she soon tells
Lane and Virginia that Ana’s cancer has returned. Ana is
refusing to go to the hospital for treatment. Desperate to save
her, Charles embarks on a trip to Alaska in search of a yew tree,
which is known for its healing properties.
The surprising relationships that follow send everyone reeling.
This humorous and moving new play is about laughter we don’t
understand, events we can’t control, houses we can’t
keep tidy and the power of the perfect joke. |
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The Clean House contains the use of some strong adult
language. This includes the colloquial use of variations of the
word “f**k” as an oath or an adjective (three times), “dam*” or “goddam*” (once), “hell” (once), “sh*t” (three
times), “b**ch” (once) and a few expressions invoking
God’s name (“Oh God” or “My God”). |
