CVLT offers gracious and graceful rendering of ‘Eleemosynary’

Elements in this production spell an enjoyable experience

Dorothea Wesbrook has named her granddaughter Echo. She has done so against her daughter’s wishes and with the firm belief the name will allow the child to reflect all that is lovely in others. This single and simple act lies at the very heart of Lee Blessing’s intriguing “Eleemosynary,” a play about the power of words to both hurt and to heal.

The play features the eccentric 75-year-old Dorothea (Margo Parker), whose love of knowledge and learning was forced upon her now estranged, middleaged daughter Artie (Kate Williams-Bernardo).

While Artie despises her perfect memory, curses her years of tutoring and has no tolerance for her mother’s eccentricities, the young Echo (Grace LeBay) — who was raised by Dorothea in her mother’s absence — embraces her vast intelligence, loves learning and adores her grandmother. And she believes she can reunite the family by winning the National Spelling Bee.

“Eleemosynary” is a challenging, appropriately wordy and purposefully labored enterprise that requires talented and intelligent actors to play the dysfunctional Wesbrooks. Director Barbara L. Rhoades, whose forte is shows that showcase strong women, certainly delivers in this Chagrin Valley Little Theatre production.

Parker portrays Dorothea with authenticity and gusto. Thanks to the actor’s virtuosity, it is abundantly clear why Artie has been damaged by Dorothea’s unique brand of parenting and why Echo has thrived.

And despite her character’s own unique brand of parenting — distant, disinterested and non-demonstrative — Williams-Bernardo as Artie still manages to generate plenty of sympathy, which is no small feat.

LeBay’s Echo lives up to her namesake by reflecting all that is lovely in others while simultaneously confronting her abandonment and neglect. LeBay is absolutely charming and endearing, and she handles her character’s complexity and vast vocabulary like a pro.

Productions of “Eleemosynary” tend to be simply staged affairs, and the CVLT production, housed in the dark and intimate confines of the River Street Playhouse, is no exception. Scenic designer Edmond Wolff has adorned the stage with black platforms against a black backdrop. As the characters navigate the tightly rendered tiers, lighting designed by Micki McNiece-Yackin isolates actors when they are speaking and then softly fades away while melancholic piano music designed by Roger Atwell takes its place between scenes.

The simplicity of the storytelling assures that attention will be devoted solely to the playwright’s story and dialogue, the characters’ relationships, and the three actors’ fine performances.

“There’s something about the Wesbrook women,” Echo confides to the audience. “We have this expectation about ourselves. To be extraordinary.” In the same fashion, the CVLT delivers a production that is as extraordinary as the characters it features.

ANDREW ROTHMAN Kate Williams-Bernardo, left, Grace LeBay and Margo Parker perform in Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s “Eleemosynary.”