THE CLEAN HOUSE Sweeps into the Next Stage this April

The Clean House, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama by playwright Sarah Ruhl, will be performed in the Next Stage at Theatre Memphis, April 5 -20, 2019. Whimsical and touching, this story focuses on a quirky Brazilian maid hired by a career-oriented doctor, Lane. The only problem is that the maid hates to clean; she longs to be a comedienne. When Lane is deserted by her husband for his older mistress we are shown that there is humor and beauty to be found in life's most unlikely messes.

"Sarah Ruhl is my favorite playwright," confesses director Leslie Barker. "She was a poet before she was a playwright ... her language is stunningly beautiful, but also funny." According to Barker, most of Ruhl's work is full of magical realism that gives the director, actors, and artistic team space to push the limits of their creativity and to dream up a world together. She revels, "Above all, it is utterly human. This play captures emotions in the most extraordinary way by inhabiting the surreal. Oh, and by the way, it is ultimately about forgiveness."

"The Next Stage at Theatre Memphis is a perfect venue for a contemporary work like The Clean House," Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch exclaims. "Life isn't always tidy. We don't live in a vacuum. Given the opportunity to produce something light-hearted, yet sincere, we can paint a broader stroke about life and how we live it," Litch continues."

There will be a talk back after the show on April 11, 2019. The director and actors will be available to interact with patrons who attend that night to discuss the production.

www.theatrememphis.org