Georgia Southern Tidies Up With “The Clean House”

September 9, 2013

The Theatre & Performance program at Georgia Southern University presents Sarah Ruhl’s The Clean House. The production opens Sept. 25 on campus in the Center for Art & Theatre’s Black Box Theatre and serves as the kick-off to the 2013-2014 season.

The play is a whimsical romantic comedy centered on Matilde, a Brazilian cleaning woman who would rather be a comedian. Her employer, Lane, is a doctor who wants a spotless house. Lane’s sister, Virginia, cleans the house on the sly to satisfy her need; “To be useful.” Things heat up when Lane’s husband, a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer, falls in love with a patient and leaves to pursue a cure.

Two design students join the student-cast in this production. Senior Julianne Norkus will be designing costumes and junior Loren Haynes will serve as lighting designer. The practice of students working in design positions with theatre professionals is a part of the program’s tradition of excellence in artistic achievement.

The Theatre & Performance program is teaming up with Georgia Southern’s Colleges Against Cancer to promote breast cancer awareness during the production. Paper apples will be sold and displayed in the Center for Art & Theatre as a part of the “Take a bite out of Breast Cancer” campaign. The paper apples are $1 and can be purchased at the theater during the show or at the Center for Art & Theatre Box Office.

The Clean House opens Wednesday, Sept. 25, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 2. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m.

Student and youth tickets are $5; faculty, staff and community tickets are $10. All seating is general admission. The House opens at 7 p.m. and we encourage audience members to arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. to ensure good seats. The Balcony will serve as overflow seating. The Box Office can be reached at 912-478-5379 to make reservations and is open for ticket sales from 3 to 5 p.m. prior to performances and at 6 p.m. on performance days.

Cast members: Laura Henry, Sally Henry, Karen Aguirre, Brandon Muggy, and Victoria Crawley Directed by Lisa L. Abbott, Scenic Design: Sean M. DeVine, Costume Design: Julianne Norkus, Lighting Design: Loren Haynes, Sound Design: Kelly Berry.