''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" 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 very 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
Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...
, 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 difficult 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-American actress and singer, known for her performances in theatrical musicals and plays, and on film and television.
In theatre, Gleason originated the role of the Baker's Wife in Ste ...
(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. Her mother Esther () wed Leo ...
(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 Eleemosynaryby Lee Blessing
1985 plays
Plays by Lee Blessing
One-act plays
{{1980s-play-stub