As presented by CAE, this story
soars to a level that is often attempted but not often achieved in
theatre. The tight direction by Steve Jarrard and the strong empathy the
actors display for the characters makes this one of the outstanding
presentations we have seen so far this year. It is a studied exploration
of the lives and feelings of three women of various ages; grandmother
Dorothea, her daughter Artie and Artie’s teen ager Barbara, known as Echo.
Meg Wallace, as Echo, asks her
mother “Why did you leave me?” and a piercing tone in her voice
reverberates at once accusing, begging and confused. Wallace has
captured the essence of the young teen with a wonderful combination of
fluctuating innocence and maturity. Her willing acceptance of being
raised by a loving grandparent contrasts with her doubts about her absent
mother and her reasons for not wanting to raise her.
Pamela Daly plays Artie, in an
excellent portrait of an ambitious and brilliant mother who desperately
searches for the answer that will convince Echo that she does love her but
has a need to search for personal meaning and fulfillment. Daly brings a
certain reluctant distance to the character of the mother, perhaps guilty
for having left her infant daughter with the mother to pursue a career
research overseas – perhaps disdain for not wanting to be like her mother
who raised her. A prior aborted pregnancy early in her life undoubtedly
colors her attitude and feelings.
Easily, the most fascinating
character is Dorothea, an eccentric dreamer who believes that people can
fly without mechanical aids and tries to force her young daughter Artie to
actually try flying using homemade wings while filming a home movie. Nancy
Solomons delivers an incredible performance, almost becoming three
different characters. First she is the mother to a girl who feels pushed,
manipulated and managed. Then she is a loving grandmother who teaches the
baby Echo words and sentences in Greek and other languages. But she also
convinces us that her personal beliefs are firmly rooted in a whimsical
cloud that drifts from fantasy to fantasy. The one trait that the Dorothea
character does not exhibit is thievery. That is left for Solomons, the
actress who easily steals most scenes, a formidable task when playing off
two exceptional performers.
Blessings wrote this play with
the actors often addressing the audience as they relate the story from
their respective view points. Time also fluctuates in a non-linear
pattern, as we first see Dorothea in the last stages of life, then are
transported to Artie’s childhood, Echo’s teen-years and back to various
periods of their lives.
The scenery is sparse and simple,
the lighting is economic, the dialog is brisk and intelligent and the
entire presentation is like a jewel encrusted in a small dark stage.
Amanda Stewart assisted director Jarrard.
Too bad there were only a few
people when we saw it. The performances and presentation are worthy of
much better audience support and the company deserves to have more
attention. There should be a line outside the box office demanding
entrance! There should be huge splashes and accolades in all the media
expounding the virtues of the actors! There should be more plays of this
quality so that LA can merit the name of “Theatre town”.
But for now, actors being what
they are, Meg Wallace, Nancy Solomons and Pamela Daly have the inner
reward of knowing that they have created indelible characters and those
fortunate to have seen their work will not soon forget them.
You should go – so you can join
the privileged who can say – “ I was there when they played Eleemosynary”.
The show runs through June 5,
2011 at the Berg Studio Theatre, 3245 Casitas Avenue # 104, Los Angeles,
CA 90039. Reservations at: 323-860-2011.
On line reservations at:
https://www.plays411.net/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=2759
Recommended!
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