Oswego Playhouse presents “Eleemosynary”

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by the Village of Oswego:

Spelling bees have been a form of entertainment for a long time in the United States. They first became popular in the 1800’s and continue in popularity today with the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

A spelling bee is at the heart of Oswego Playhouse’s production of Eleemosynary.  Eleemosynary means charitable acts. The play by Lee Blessing revolves around the everyday charitable acts of love and forgiveness that we express to each other in our relationships.  

Eleemosynary opens on Friday Feb 22 at 8 pm and continues February 23 and March 1 and 2. There will be one Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on March 3rd. All performances will be at Oswego Village Hall. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Village Hall. Reservations may be made by calling 630.554.3287.

Oswego Playhouse has added two additional performances of Eleemosynary on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the two additional performances will go to Kendall County CASA. 

Eleemosynary features Jacquie Weirich (Oswego) as Dorothea, Beth Goncher (Aurora) as Artie and Kelly Cash (Aurora) as Echo and is directed by Jill Orr.  The play probes into the delicate relationship of three women: the grandmother, Dorothea, who has sought to assert her independence through strong-willed eccentricity; her brilliant daughter, Artie (Artemis), who has fled the stifling domination of her mother; and Artie's daughter, Echo, a child of exceptional intellect-and sensitivity-whom Artie has abandoned to an upbringing by Dorothea.

As the play begins, Dorothea has suffered a stroke and Echo has reestablished contact with her mother through extended telephone conversations. Their conversations ignore the real issues that Artie and Echo need to face and focus on Echo's single-minded domination of a national spelling contest. After Dorothea's death, both Artie and Echo accept their mutual need and summon the courage to build a life together.

Community groups will be participating in a spelling bee each night prior to the performance and the evening’s winner will be determined and crowned champion during intermission.