Laugh Sweep

Sarah Ruhl’s well-regarded 2004 play The Clean House, now enjoying its Kansas City premiere at the Unicorn Theatre, dares to ask just who’s responsible for cleaning up after Americans. But for all its complex themes and gray-area political explorations, The Clean House is a comedy. This production, directed by Cynthia Levin, stars Peggy Friesen as a doctor and Vanessa Severo as her cleaning woman, a Brazilian who hates her work and dreams of becoming a stand-up comic. The rest of the cast is also top-notch: Walter Coppage, Merle Moores and Jan Rogge. The Clean House has won raves around the country; considering this cast and director, chances are it will here, too. The curtain rises tonight at 8 at The Unicorn (3828 Main, 816-531-7529).

Fri., Feb. 27, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 28, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., March 1, 3 p.m.; Tue., March 3, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., March 4, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., March 5, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., March 6, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 7, 3 p.m.; Sun., March 8, 3 p.m.; Tue., March 10, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., March 11, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., March 12, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., March 13, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 14, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 15, 3 p.m.; Tue., March 17, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., March 18, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., March 19, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., March 20, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 21, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 22, 3 p.m., 2009