Play: "Baby with the Bathwater," dark comedy

Players: Clarke College Drama Department

Times/dates: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Estimated duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Site: Terence Donaghoe Hall, Clarke College

Cost: $10 general admission, $7 senior citizens, $5 students

synopsis

What it's about: A dark satire about the hardships of parenting and growing up, beginning with two clueless parents who bring a baby home from the hospital. The baby -- whom they name Daisy, not sure whether he's a boy or girl -- grows up to be a father with a child of his own. The play, by Christopher Durang, is written in a bizarre but humorous style.

Performers: Luke Van Meveren, of Monticello, Minn.; Elizabeth Spoerl, of Sherrill, Iowa; Kayla Damisch, of Victor, Iowa; Rebecca Brosnan, of Algona, Iowa; Beatrice Schares, of Plattsburgh, Iowa; Austin Rea, of Lodi, Wis.; Mattea Meixner, of Tipton, Iowa;

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Josh McDowell, of Dubuque; and Max McNett, of Evansville, Wis., who also is assistant director.

Director: Joe Klinebriel, associate professor of drama

Tidbits

* Playwright Christopher Durang also wrote "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You" and a parody of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" called "Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge."

* Actor Tony Shalhoub, of TV's "Monk," played the father in the 1983 stage debut of the play in Massachusetts.