by ASHLEY MILLER

for the Sequim Gazette

If you like dramatic comedies, you won’t want to miss the upcoming production of “The Housekeeper.”

Olympic Theatre Arts will present the funny play written by James Prideaux on stage June 24-July 17.

Port Angeles actor Michael Aldrich and Sequim actress Alexandria Edouart star in the show as Manley Carstairs, an intellectual literary artist who’s been living with his mother for years until her death, and Annie Dankworth, an eccentric housekeeper hired to look after Manley’s large Victorian house.

When Annie first arrives wearing sneakers and carrying her belongings in a grocery cart, Manley is taken aback to say the least. Annie seems so eager to please that Manley relents. Soon after, their relationship progresses rapidly from initial reserve to active hatred. Annie is one of the world’s greatest oddballs, who insults her employer, denigrates his writing, admits to forging her references, accuses Manley of lusting after her and, in general, makes his life very difficult.

Director Sharon DelaBarre describes the play as “unique.”

The story unfolds over a three-day period in which the characters “end up in an interesting relationship” and “change as they get to know each other,” DelaBarre said.

Complete with flashbacks and audience interaction, “The Housekeeper” is sure to prove different from what people are used to seeing on stage, she added.

Edouart last appeared on OTA’s stage in the one-woman show “Shirley Valentine” last summer; Aldrich in “Greater Tuna” two years ago.