Emerald Coast Theatre Company Stages "Eleemosynary"

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC), a not-for-profit theater company based in Miramar Beach, Florida, presents the Northwest Florida premier of “Eleemosynary” by playwright Lee Blessing.

The play will run two weekends: Oct. 16 to 18 and Oct. 23 to 25 and be staged in a non-traditional space at 560 Grand Blvd. (former Coldwater Creek location) in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Evening performances are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and matinees are on Sundays at 2 p.m.

“Eleemosynary” is described as a “masterful play that examines the subtle and often perilous relationship between three remarkable women: a young girl, her mother, and her grandmother.” ECTC is offering this uniquely staged presentation with simple platforms and props in keeping with Blessing’s vision for the show.

"This play will touch the heart and soul of any woman that attends, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to call your mom when it's all over," said Nathanael Fisher director of the production and Producing Artistic Director of Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

The cast includes professional actress of stage and screen Darla Briganti from Milton, Fla., playing Dorothea, the eccentric, free spirited grandmother. She was last seen in ECTC’s  “A Dickens Christmas” and other major roles include Mama Rose from “Gypsy” and Patsy from “Always Patsy Cline.” 

Local favorite Rachel Nussbaum of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., portrays Echo, the precocious spelling prodigy, and was most recently seen in Nancy Hasty’s No Limits Theatre Company’s production “We Were Soldiers Too.” 

ECTC is also proud to welcome to the cast Chicago actress Sharon Biermann, playing the role of Artie, the brilliant and distant mother. Sharon’s most notable roles include Joan from “Love Song” and Yetne from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Last March, ECTC’s production of  “Art” played to sold-out crowds and set social media ablaze with positive reviews. Elisa Rowland proclaimed, “Loved this evening’s performance of ‘Art’! All the actors were brilliant! Thank you for a great evening.”

Ticket holders are invited to enjoy a pre-performance art exhibition featuring many of Northwest Florida's talented female artists 60 minutes prior to each performance in the theater lobby space.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $12 for students. A 10 percent discount to active duty military is available with proper and valid ID.

It is recommended to get tickets early because of the intimate theatrical setting ECTC creates, which allows for limited seating. Purchase tickets online at emeraldcoasttheatre.org. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Tickets will only be sold at the venue on a space available basis.

The play will be presented at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin located at 560 Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, Fla., in the northwest corner of building (formerly Coldwater Creek). The performance schedule is Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Eleemosynary” is the third professional offering that Emerald Coast Theatre Company has produced, and the first in the 2015-16 three-show season. It will be followed by an encore performance of “A Dickens Christmas” in December and the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” in February.

For more information on Emerald Coast Theatre Company, call (850) 687-1637, email info@emeraldcoasttheatre.org or visit  www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.