DIRT and THE CLEAN HOUSE Performed in Repertory at The Contemporary Theater Company

Spring cleaning is right around the corner, and the Contemporary Theater Company offers up two plays to get you in the cleaning mood -Dirt by Bryony Lavery and The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl.

The company is producing the plays in repertory on alternating weekends from April 21 through May 20.

The Clean House was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005 and was produced in the Contemporary Theater Company's Springboard Season in 2014. Dirt will be receiving its New England premiere at the CTC.

"The exciting challenge of performing Dirt and The Clean House together is creating a set that can open up possibilities for each," says lighting designer Maggie Cady. "The set will include actual dirt, which brings up a lot of images of nature - our embrace of it and our fights against it."

Both plays tackle serious issues of life and death with humor.

Dirt follows a young woman through the day that she didn't know would be her last as she tells the story of her demise and what it means for those left behind.

In The Clean House, an immigrant working as a maid recalls rosier laughter-filled days with her parents while her employer develops a relationship with her husband's dying lover.

"The Clean House has been great to work on because at it's heart it's a really joyful play," says Tammy Brown, director of The Clean House. "It's about each character's search for joy despite their tragic circumstances."

Sundays are Senior Day at the CTC with discounts for seniors at Sunday matinees, supported by the Green Line Apothecary down the street from the theater in Wakefield.

Performance dates: Dirt: Apr 21-22, May 4-6, 20 at 7 pm, May 7 at 2 pm
The Clean House: Apr 28-29, May 11-13, 19 at 7 pm, May 14 at 2 pm

Calendar of Events

Micetro Improv

Every Friday at 9:30 pm
Our troupe of improvisers make up scenes and songs on-the-spot. It's fun, it's real, and every performance is truly unique! The players vie for your vote to be the Micetro Champion and win the coveted Bucci Helmet!

Tickets: $8, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Wakefield Idol

Thursdays through Mar 30 at 7 pm

The hottest thing in town! In the fourth annual Wakefield Idol, 64 local singers compete for a $1500 cash prize! The judges and the live audience vote for the best of the best as the singers dazzle the crowd! Stay engaged and excited all winter with Wakefield Idol!

Tickets: Quarterfinals - $20, Semifinals - $25, Finals - $30 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email:info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Dirt by Bryony Lavery

Apr 21-22, May 4-6, 20 at 7 pm, May 7 at 2 pm

Dirt follows a woman through the night she didn't know would be her last - from dinner to dust. A heartfelt and funny look at how our lives intertwine, and how death affects those left behind.

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance), Sundays are Senior Day with Seniors - $18 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl

Apr 28-29, May 11-13, 19 at 7 pm, May 14 at 2 pm

The Clean House deals with death, the importance of laughter, and a woman's relationship with her husband's lover. With beauty and humor, The Clean House confronts the sadness and relief of acceptance.

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance), Sundays are Senior Day with Seniors - $18 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Fairy Tea Party

May 20 at 2 pm

Enjoy a magical afternoon of tea, snacks, and treats amongst the flowers at one of the Contemporary Theater Company's favorite events of the year. Fairies lead little ones on a scavenger hunt around the Kinney Azalea Gardens! Come with the family or have a fun afternoon with friends and let your inner fairy out!

Tickets: Adult - $25, Children - $15, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, 2391 Kingstown Rd, Kingston, RI 02881

Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo

June 16-17, 22-24, 29-30, July 1, 6-8 at 7 pm

This anti-fascist farce by Italian playwright Dario Fo delves into the political realm where you never know if you can trust what those in charge claim. Did an anarchist fall from the window of a police interrogation room? Or was he pushed? The authorities wouldn't lie to a reporter, would they? This physical, clown-infused comedy is perfect for our shifting political landscape.

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Shakespeare on the Saugatucket

Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August at 7 pm

Enjoy the beautiful words of the Bard under the stars and amongst the flowers on the Contemporary Theater Company's Performance Patio situated on the banks of the Saugatucket River. This year we tackle love in all forms with All's Well That Ends Well in July and Cymbeline in August.

Tickets: Free, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com,

The Contemporary Theater Company Performance Patio, 321 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean

July 14-15, 21-22, 27-29, Aug 3-5, 10-12 at 7 pm

One Man, Two Guvnors is a hilarious reshaping of the classic comedy Servant of Two Masters! Down on his luck, Francis Henshall suddenly finds himself at the beck and call of two employers - rivals in the local mob scene. As Francis frantically tries to keep everything straight, the twists, turns, and confusions mount for a stupendous night of fun!

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Slamming Doors: An Improvised Farce

Aug 18-19, 24-26, 31, Sept 1-2 at 7 pm

Slamming Doors was so much fun last year, it's back by popular demand! A full-length farce is created on-the-spot before your eyes. The actors know nothing about the characters, plot, or lines until they step onstage - it's all made-up in the moment with all the twists and turns you love in farces!

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance)

Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

To post a comment, you must register and login.