Overview

Synopsis

Lane is a successful doctor who just wants a clean house and a happy marriage. Unfortunately, her cleaning lady, Matilde, would rather be a comedian, and her husband, Charles, has left her for a patient. Also in the mix is her older sister, Virginia, who happens to fill the void in her life by cleaning. As Matilde continues her quest for the perfect joke and Lane tries to put her life back together, stories become intertwined in unexpected and poignant ways. Sarah Ruhl’s “whimsical romantic comedy” features a mostly female ensemble cast. It won the 2004 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and was a 2005 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Show Information

Book
Sarah Ruhl
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2004
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A house in Connecticut. Present day.
Cast Size
small
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Diverse Cast, Community Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Lane

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Matilde

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Virginia

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Charles

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Man

Featured

Male

Silent

Woman

Featured

Female

Silent

Ana

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Kevan Dunkelberg

Kevan Dunkelberg

Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright