Theatre of Western Springs presents 'The Clean House'

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs. Photos by Bill Hammack.

Western Springs, IL - The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) presents the fourth Mainstage play of its 87th season, “The Clean House,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist, written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Amy Fenton.

Performances take place from April 14 – 24, at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs.

The play is suitable for adult audiences.

Schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
• 2:30 p.m. Sundays, April 17, 24
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17

Deeply funny and equally moving, this Pulitzer Prize finalist makes us ask – what really is important in life? Audiences will laugh and cry and laugh again as they take a trip on the ride of life, seeing all the ways that messes and disappointments are as much a part of life as love and a box of chocolates.

“The Clean House” is a magical script” says TWS Executive Artistic Director Eddie Sugarman. “It rides the line between laughter and tears because Sarah Ruhl’s characters and their dialogue is so outrageously true.”

The play takes place in a 'metaphysical Connecticut' where a married doctor employs a Brazilian housekeeper. Trouble erupts when the husband falls in love with one of his cancer patients.

Matilde, the quirky maid from Brazil, is more interested in working on her stand-up comedy than cleaning Lane’s house. Lane, the lady of the house, has a sister, Virginia, who loves cleaning. She and Matilde become friends, and Virginia takes over the house-cleaning while Matilde works on her jokes.

Although this play is often described as a comedy, it is a more poignant story in which the characters are challenged to find joy in spite of death. The story reminds us that life is messy and instead of trying to iron it out, better to embrace the mess.

Tickets are $20 and $22. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or go to: http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com. Free parking is available.

Director Amy Fenton

Oak Park resident Amy V. Fenton has directed both new and established plays, her own original adaptations and new performance work, and workshops of new works in progress.

She adapted a stunning version of "The Education of Marjorya" for Strawdog Theatre and her production of Jeffrey Lieber’s "Mariposa" received critical acclaim. Her production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s "New Anatomies" was twice listed as Recommended in the Chicago Sun Times’ “To See Or Not To See” column.

Fenton spent many years as adjunct faculty in Speech/Theatre at Triton College, where she most recently served as Artistic Director of Theatre for three seasons. As Artistic Director, she created "The Emerging Voices Project," a new play workshop production series in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. In addition, she has directed over 13 productions including "Collected Stories," "There’s An Ocean In Nebraska" and "Waiting for Godot."

Other directing credits include work at Theatre of Western Springs ("Boy Gets Girl"), Strawdog Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Zebra Crossing, Chicago Dramatists, Dominican University, and the Hangar Theater in Ithaca, NY.

She has taught at the University of Chicago, Open Door Repertory Company and the Theatre of Western Springs. Fenton's work as an arts administrator included six years in administration at the Goodman Theatre. As an artistic consultant for Powersuasion, Inc. a corporate training firm, she directed and wrote custom theatrical projects and helped develop and facilitate creative, interactive team-building programs for clients such as Ameritech, Northern Trust, TAP Pharmaceuticals and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

She received a BFA in Studio Art with a minor in Theatre Performance / Performance Art from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MFA from Ohio University’s Professional Director’s Training Program. As a directing fellow at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York, she received an award for excellence for her direction of three original adaptations.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl

Playwright Sarah Ruhl was born in Wilmette. A 2006 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she originally intended to be a poet but found her way into playwrighting while at Brown University.

Through her bold, emotional and poetic way of writing, she gained widespread acclaim (and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist) for both “The Clean House” and “In The Next Room.” Her plays have been produced at Lincoln Center Theater, Goodman Theater and The Piven Theater, among others, as well as internationally.

She is currently on the faculty at Yale School of Drama and lives in Brooklyn with her family.

CAST

Ana - Suzanne Nyhan of Naperville

Charles - David Knezz of Homer Glen

Lane - Mary Kuhn of Naperville

Matilde - Noha El-Ganzouri of Hinsdale

Virginia - Karin Kramer of Wheaton

CREW

Director – Amy Fenton of Oak Park

Stage Manager – Tom Schutt, Jr. of Forest Park

Assist. Stage Man. –Tom Gess of Indian Head Park

Assist. Stage Man. –Tom Viskocil of Woodridge

Tech Director – Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Costumes – Danna Durkin of Darien

Costumes – Peggy McCaffray of LaGrange

Dramaturg – Marion Reis of Wheaton

Hospitality – Joe Mills of Westchester

Lights – Linda Bugielski of Indian Head Park

House Manager - Mike Janke of Downers Grove

Makeup – Bridget Bittman of LaGrange

Julie Campo of Darien

Prod. Coord. – Mary Ellen Schutt

Program Editor – Dennis Fry

Props – Suzy Krueckeberg

Publicity – Janet Gassmann of Western Springs

Set Construction – Tom Squillo of Clarendon Hills

Set Design – Thad Hallstein of Chicago & Archie Benfield of Downers Grove

Set Painting – Tim Feeney

Sound – Joe Mills of Westchester