Eleemosynary

Scaffold Theatre is bringing Lee Blessing's Eleemosynary to Scaffold Theatre at Lightree Studios starting Friday, October 30. It's a play about three generations of Westbury women—an eccentric grandmother, an estranged mother, and a national spelling bee champion—whose relationships collide over pride, genius, and forgiveness. The production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service and is supported by the Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks Program.

One thing to know about this particular staging is how it's presented. Scaffold plays in a minimalist warehouse space, and Eleemosynary is stripped of ornate sets, relying on acting and imagination rather than scenery to carry the story. It's a raw, intimate production that puts the focus on the performances. The company itself was founded in 2017 out of the Actors In Action Conservatory, and they cast from their own conservatory pool, so you're seeing actors who've trained together.

The run is a long one, with performances stretching from Friday, October 30, through Saturday, November 14. It opens with a 7:30 PM show on the 30th, followed by a 4:00 PM matinee on Sunday, November 1. From there, the schedule settles into a regular rhythm: Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, both at 7:30 PM; Friday, November 13, at 7:30 PM; and Saturday, November 14, with a 7:30 PM show and a 9:30 PM curtain call. Each performance runs about two hours.

Tickets are $29 for general admission and $15 for students. You'll find the theatre at 740 W 1700 S Ste 5, Salt Lake City, UT 84096.