By Randi Bjornstad
In a nutshell, here’s the plot of Something Clean, which will be onstage at Oregon Contemporary Theatre March 3-19:
Charlotte’s once-immaculate world is forever tainted by a heinous act, after her son is incarcerated for sexual assault. Now, this mother of nineteen years, wife of three decades, and lifelong, respectable community member is struggling to make sense of it all — and reckon with a brand-new identity, both public and private. This new play tackles tough issues head on: grief, love, and responsibility to ourselves, our families and our community.
A special aspect of this play — making its regional premiere at OCT — is that it is written by Eugene native Selina Fillinger, who graduated from South Eugene High School in 2012 and went on to study drama at Northwestern University. Her plays have been produced in Chicago, London, and major regional theaters.
Something Clean premiered off-Broadway in New York City, and one of Fillinger’s previous plays, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, had its Broadway debut at the Schubert Theater in April 2022 and was nominated for three Tony awards and two Drama League awards.
Inga Wilson directs OCT’s version of Fillinger’s Something Clean. The three-person cast includes Paul Dunkel and OCT newcomers Jeany Van Meltebeke Snider Michael Eclevia.
The production team includes costume design by Erin Wills, lighting by Michael A. Peterson, scenic design by Steen V. Mitchell, prop design by Amy Weinkauf, and sound by Chris Lewis. Laura Tuffli is assistant stage manager, and Riley Allen is production stage manager.
Something Clean at Oregon Contemporary Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. March 3-4, 9-11, and 16-18; 2 p.m. on March 12 and 19
Where: Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, Eugene
Tickets: $20, $34, $44; available online at octheatre.org or by calling 541-465-1506
