"Baby With the Bathwater" Dec. 5-7, 12-13

MOUNT VERNON – Cornell College presents Baby With the Bathwater, a dark comedy by Christopher Durang, directed by Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Jody Hovland, Artistic Director at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City. The show will run Dec. 5-7 and 12-13 at the Plumb-Fleming Studio Theater on the Cornell Campus.

Tickets range from $8 for adults to $5 for non-Cornell students. Faculty, staff, and students of Cornell are admitted without charge. All evening performances are at 7:30 and the Sunday matinee begins at 2:00.

Baby With the Bathwater is a dark comedy about how difficult it is to be a parent, and how scary it is to be a baby and a child. The play is written in an absurdist, playful style. As the play opens Helen and John are arguing over their new baby: what name to call it, how to stop it crying, and whether it is a boy or a girl. To their rescue comes Nanny, a sometimes terrifying woman of mysterious origins who arrives as if by magic to help the totally unprepared parents. The play contains some adult language.

Baby With the Bathwater premiered March 31, 1983 at the American Repertory Theatre. It has received considerable acclaim since then and was produced in New York City as recently as 2002. Christopher Durang is famous for his madcap, often absurdist or disturbing comedies, such as Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All and, more recently, Betty’s Summer Vacation, also previously produced by Cornell College.

Lindsay Tornquist plays Helen and Jordan Stacey her husband John in Cornell College’s production. Laura Tatar portrays Nanny. Costumes designs are by Casey Harris and Risa Alecci, both students at Cornell College. Scenic and Lighting Designer is professional guest artist Ben Schmidt. Sound design is by Cornell faculty member Don Schneider, who also serves as the production’s Technical Director.