Spotlight on Women

The year began with “1776,” a musical featuring a huge cast but only two women.

Local theater groups are making up for that, though, with a slate of productions that would be at home on the Lifetime cable channel: “Eleemosynary” and “Crossing Delancey,” which are now running, and “Extremities,” which opens tonight at Moorpark College, all feature strong female protagonists. “Delancey” deals with love, “Eleemosynary” shows three generations of women interacting and “Extremities” centers on rape and retribution. More about that one next week.

Lee Blessing offers an apt criticism of his own play’s awkward title, “Eleemosynary,” when he has a character note that “some words should be spelled, not used.” If ever there were one such, “Eleemosynary” is it, and the definition (you can either see the play or look it up: I suggest seeing the play) isn’t all that pertinent to matters at hand.

It’s a strong, interesting show that deserves a title the audience can pronounce when ordering tickets.

Judy Heiliger plays Dorothea, grande dame of the Westbrook family, whose members (those we see, at least) include daughter Artie (Michelle Wagner) and her daughter, Echo (Aubrey Barrett). All three are sharp, funny women, though none seems to appreciate what they have in common: Artie resents Dorothea’s bohemian attitudes (“one of the notable eccentrics of her day”), Dorothea thinks Artie is dull and a poor mother and Echo resents Artie, who left the country early, leaving her in Dorothea’s care.

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The three interact through flashbacks, occasionally addressing the audience directly, and covering time from before Echo’s birth to the present, when she’s around 14. Echo has chosen spelling bees as a world to conquer, and one of the play’s high points is a competition in which she’s determined to leave no challenger standing.

The play is constructed in an interesting way, written nicely and uniformly well-acted, under the direction of Patricia Lynn-Strickland (who directed a version several years ago in Santa Paula). Less heavy-handed than the subject might suggest, “Eleemosynary” is also more enjoyable.

Susan Sandler’s “Crossing Delancey,” now playing at the Marquie Dinner Theatre, takes place in New York City.

Isabelle Grossman (Natalie Holcomb), a mousily attractive woman, works in a bookstore and has developed a crush on author Tyler Moss (Roscoe Gaines), who remains oblivious of her.

Unaware of this, and worried about Isabelle’s lack of a social life, her grandmother, Bubbie, (Stephanie Moro) has conspired with a matchmaker (Juanita Seavey) to introduce Isabelle to Sam Posner, who is nice, has a promising job as a baker (“books can’t make you blintzes,” Bubbie advises) and--crucially, to Bubbie, at least--is Jewish.

Will Isabelle come out of her shell? Will the handsome author pay any attention to her? Should she pay more attention to her grandmother? And who came up with Seavey’s hilarious costume? All save the last question are answered in due course.

Whatever it may lack in substance, “Crossing Delancey” makes up for in character and good sense, and Don Pearlman directs a cast that is--like that of “Eleemosynary,” consistently strong. Those who insist on substance, as well, can always go back to the buffet table for a second helping.

DETAILS

“Eleemosynary” continues through Feb. 6 at the Petit Playhouse, 730 South B St. in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for all shows are $12; $10, seniors. Group rates are available. For reservations (mandatory) or further information, call 483-5118.

“Crossing Delancey” continues through Feb. 19 at the Marquie Dinner Theatre, 340 N. Mobil, Camarillo. Performances are Friday, Saturday and some Sunday evenings; doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is served from 7 on, and the show begins at 8 or so. Admission to all performances, which includes buffet dinner with a choice of entrees, nonalcoholic beverages, tax and tip, is $35; $32, seniors; $28, children. For reservations (mandatory) or more information, call 484-9909.

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Declaration of Independence Signing Delayed One Week: The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center’s presentation of the musical “1776” has been held over, now ending its run Feb. 6. This will be Ventura County audiences’ final opportunity to see the show until March, when the Conejo Players mount their version.

DETAILS

“1776” continues at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 6 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Tickets to all performances are $18; $15, students and seniors; $10, ages 12 and under. For reservations or further information, call 581-9940.

Todd Everett can be reached at teverett@concentric.net.