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
Jobsite Jobby
- Best Supporting Actress (tie) – Molly Jacobson
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.
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!”
...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
Media
Jobsite notes 1/25
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported both our mainstage production of Eleemosynary and our Job-side Project Bondage. Both shows enjoyed great runs,
We are ALL worthy of flying
Last night’s opening was a great success. It’s rare that one of our shows is seen by so few of our artistic associates prior to
CreLo: 3 Jobsite plays tops in 2007
Congrats to everyone who was a part of Jobsite’s productions of Woman in Mind, This is How it Goes and Hurlyburly for making CreLo’s annual
Artist Interview: Molly Jacobson
Name: Molly McBride JacobsonCurrent show: EleemosynaryRole: Echo WesbrookAge: 13Birthplace: Spokane, WA. Top 3 TV shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s sad, but that’s it.Top 3
Measuring success and thanks
Gorey Stories came down last night at 6pm. At 7pm, the actors, designers, stage manager, music director and myself were standing around in a circle
Previews
Guilt-Free Brain Food At A Theater Near You – Tampa Tribune
Generation Gaps – Creative Loafing
Listen to the Cast/Crew of Eleemosynary on WMNF’s 1/3/08 Women’s Show. (Fast forward to the 7 minute mark.)
Listen to the Casts/Crews of Eleemosynary and Bondage on WMNF’s 1/11/08 Art in Your Ear. (Fast forward to the 12 minute mark.)
Cast & Crew
- Jaime Giangrande-Holcom – Co-Director and Stage Manager
- Kari Goetz – Co-director
Cast
- Molly Jacobson – Echo
- Caroline Jett – Dorothea
- Leah LoSchiavo – Artemis
Crew
- Lori Shannon – Assistant Stage Manager
- Matt Lunsford – Scenic Designer
- David M. Jenkins – Master Carpenter/Technical Director
- Karla Hartley – Light Designer/Master Electrician
Patron Reviews
- We had the chance to see Eleemosynary last night. Not only am I elated to be a part of this incredible company, but so impressed with all three women on stage. It is really a delightful piece. Everyone who worked on it should be very proud. – David Valdez
- Great play and it looked almost sold out for Sat night. We thought all the gals did a super wonderful job – Echo was great. WOW. – Suzanne Noe
- Enjoyed the play last night enormously - what a great play! And the acting was tremendous! – Arlene Englehardt, WMNF Women's Show
- Opening night was amazing! All three ladies are glorious. This show is must see... you might as well bring your mom with you the first time; otherwise you'll be coming back with her by your side! Bring the whole family! – Anonymous
- Great show the other night. I could certainly relate to a lot of it!! – Susan Martin, season ticket holder
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