Bill Rauch directs the new work, which began performances Sept. 17 for a run through Oct. 9 at the Connecticut company's University Theatre.
The Clean House centers on a Brazilian woman (Mendoza), serving as a maid to a busy doctor and her husband, who would rather crack a joke than clean the house. The work won this year's annual Susan Smith Blackburn Prize based on staged readings seen at the New Jersey's McCarter Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre and New York's Women's Project.
The cast for The Clean House features Tom Bloom (Henry IV, Racing Demon) as A Man/Charles, Franca M. Barchiesi (Five Women Waiting, Roman Nights) as A Woman/Ana, Laurie Kennedy (Copenhagen, Angels in America) as Virginia, Zilah Mendoza (Living Out, "Nip/Tuck") as Mathilda and Elizabeth Norment (Plenty, All Over) as Lane.
Barchiesi replaces Carmen de Lavallade (Josephine Baker, Wintertime) who has left the production for medical reasons. She served as understudy for the roles and previously played them in a previous New York reading.
The design team for The Clean House includes Christopher Acebo (scenic), Shigeru Yaji (costume), Geoff Korf (lighting) and Andre Pluess (sound) — who also provides original music. Stephen Gabis serves as vocal coach while Rachel Rusch is the dramaturg. James Mountcastle handles production stage management. Ruhl's other plays include Orlando, Passion Play, Late: a cowboy song and Eurydice. Her works have been staged in Chicago, New York, London, Minneapolis, Seattle, Madison, Louisville, Williamstown, Providence, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
The new season at Yale Rep includes Rolin Jones' The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (Oct. 22-Nov. 13), Lillian Groag's The Ladies of the Camellias (Nov. 26-Dec. 18), William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors (Feb. 11-March 12, 2005), August Strindberg's Miss Julie (March 18-April 9, 2005) and August Wilson's Radio Golf (April 22-May 15).
For tickets to The Clean House at Yale Rep's University Theatre, 222 York Street in New Haven, CT, call (203) 432-1234. For more information, visit www.yalerep.org.
