Einstein's Dreams
Eleemosynary
By Lee Blessing
Directed by Kari Goetz and Jaime Giangrande-Holcom
Jan. 3 – 20, 2008
Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm
Tickets: $24.50
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Winner!
- Jobsite Jobby – Best Supporting Actress (tie) – Molly Jacobson
"...a play and a production of a caliber rarely seen ... the language is elegant, witty and carefully wrought." – Philadelphia City Paper.
"...an engrossing 95-minute entry – alternately funny and poignant..." – Variety
Sensitive and probing, this masterful play examines the subtle and often perilous relationship between three generations of remarkable women: the grandmother, Dorothea, who has sought to assert her independence through strong-willed eccentricity; her brilliant daughter, Artie, who has fled the stifling domination of her mother; and Artie's daughter, Echo, a child of exceptional intellect, whom Artie has abandoned to an upbringing by Dorothea.
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Eleemosynary has been called "alternatively funny and poignant" by Variety, and "a funny, perceptive and eloquently written play'' by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Told through direct narration and flashbacks as well as linear storytelling, the tale unfolds via the reversal of cause and effect. Eleemosynary is a celebration of the beautiful, mysterious and painful bonds between mothers and daughters.
With the holidays over, it is expected that audiences will be fresh from their family experiences – for good or bad. As an event, Jobsite is certain that Eleemosynary will let you know you're not alone! Director Kari Goetz (The March of the Kitefliers, Phyro-Giants!) remarks that "The wonderful thing about Eleemosynary is that it's a story that any woman will readily relate to. The themes are universal to the female family dynamic. The beautiful thing about this show is the emotion of 'laughter through tears' – we really get to put the 'fun' in dysfunctional!"
Goetz says, "Watching these three women – a Generation Y, a Generation X and a Great Generation – working together and finding common ground through the rehearsal process has been extraordinarily rewarding. I can't think of the last time I've laughed so hard in rehearsal. My 13-year-old actress is going on 60 and my 60-year-old actress is going on 13 – between the two of them they keep me on my toes!"
Age recommendation: 12+ Contains some minor adult language and situations
About the Artists
Eleemosynary stars Molly Jacobson (The Pillowman) as Echo, Leah LoSchiavo (The Boys Next Door, The House of Yes) as Artemis and Marie Hyman (Lysistrata) as Dorothea. It features lighting design by Karla Hartley and scenic design by Matt Lunsford.
See the Eleemosynary bios for more about the cast and crew.
