The Observer, March 23, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 21
The Clean House belies messy private lives
"A perfect joke is somewhere between an angel and a fart." Or at least that's how the character Matilde from Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House, which is currently playing at the Cleveland Play House, views it.
A native to Brazil, Matilde works as a maid at the home of a Unitarian-like doctor in Connecticut. However, she yearns for a career change. She wants to be a comic, which might be a better choice, considering she hates cleaning houses – the task depresses her.
Laughter, not cleaning, is Matilde's heritage. Her parents were dubbed to be "the funniest couple in Brazil" until her mother died from laughter. It was this tragedy that motivated Matilde to move to the United States, and though she works as a maid for Dr. Lane, she has made it her goal to come up with the perfect joke. However, fate intervenes, and the family finds itself in upheaval, and begins to learn some very simple life lessons.
Ruhl's play is a light-hearted affair, a whimsical tale of love, laughter, and change. A very non-traditional play that requires an active imagination, it isn't a typical show for a large theater.
The writing is spectacular. As each character is developed through numerous asides and quick dialogue, they become relatable. Many can relate to Virginia's need to take care of her younger sister Lane, the mistress of Matilde's house; Lane's loneliness; Matilde's search for laughter in even the worst situations. The immobile house set, gleaming white and sterile to fit Lane's standards, is the backdrop for this two-hour adventure. Morphed into far-off places like Alaska, Brazil, or an operating room by imagination, you periodically leave the clean house to explore the messy lives of its inhabitants.
One charming aspect of The Clean House is the scene introductions that were projected onto the top of the set. The simple descriptions of each scene keep the entire play in perspective, with everything operating by imagination.
Each member of the cast brought life to this production, working as a charismatic ensemble. Talent was obvious when actors like Ursula Cataan (Matilde) were able to make the audience burst out laughing while telling a joke in Portuguese.
The Clean House is currently playing at the Cleveland Play House Drury Theater until Sunday, March 25. Tickets start at $39, but there is a student discount. For tickets call the box office at (216) 795-7000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
