''Eleemosynary'' is a 1985 multi act play by
Lee Blessing
Lee Knowlton Blessing (born October 4, 1949) is an American playwright best known for his 1988 work, '' A Walk in the Woods''. A lifelong Midwesterner, Blessing continued to work in regional theaters in and around his hometown of Minneapolis thro ...
. It follows the relationships between three generations of women. The word "
eleemosynary
Eleemosynary may refer to:
*Eleemosynary, relating to charity
Charity may refer to:
Giving
* Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons
* Charity (prac ...
" itself plays a significant part in the plot.
Characters
The characters in the play are:
*Dorothea: An old woman who has chosen to be eccentric.
*Artemis (Artie): Dorothea's daughter. Holds an important job as a biochemist. Has an incredible memory.
*Echo: Artie's daughter. Lives with Dorothea. Is an excellent speller, in addition to having extraordinary intellectual abilities.
Plot
The play examines the delicate relationship of three women: a grandmother, Dorothea, who has sought to exert her independence through strong willed eccentric behavior, Artie, her daughter, who has run from her overpowering mother, and Echo, Artie's daughter, who is incredibly smart and equally sensitive. After Dorothea (who has raised Echo into her teens) suffers a
stroke, Echo is forced to reestablish contact with her mother through extended phone conversations, during which real issues are skirted and the talk is mostly about the precocious Echo's unparalleled success in a national spelling bee. In the end, Artie and Echo come to accept their mutual need and summon the courage to build a life together, despite the terror this holds after so many years of estrangement.
Productions
In addition to its premiere production in Minnesota, ''Eleemosynary'' was produced from April 25, 1989, to May 28, 1989, by the Manhattan Theatre Club at the New York City Center, Stage II. Directed by Lynn Meadow, the cast consisted of
Joanna Gleason
Joanna Gleason (née Hall; born June 2, 1950) is a Canadian actress and singer. She is a Tony Award–winning musical theatre actress and has also had a number of notable film and TV roles. She's known for originating the role of the Baker's Wife ...
(Artie),
Eileen Heckart
Anna Eileen Heckart ( Herbert; March 29, 1919 – December 31, 2001) was an American stage and screen actress whose career spanned nearly 60 years.
Early life
Heckart was born Anna Eileen Herbert in Columbus, Ohio. The daughter of Esther (), ...
(Dorothea) and Jennie Moreau (Echo). Moreau won a 1989 Theatre World Award for her acting in the production.
The play, represented by Dramatists Play Service, has been produced at a number of theaters since its premiere.
References
External links
A Reflection on