Maskers’ production graceful, humorous

The three generations of Westbrook women in Lee Blessing’s 1985 drama “Eleemosynary” have only one expectation from their lineage: to be extraordinary. And they are, particularly as presented in the Belfast Maskers’ production, which opened last weekend.

The grand matriarch, Dorthea, lives by the credo “There’s nothing the mind can’t bend,” and, consequently, becomes a notable eccentric of her time. She believes in communication with the dead, spontaneous combustion, and astral projection. “Eccentricity saved my life,” she confides. “It became my life. And I thank God for it.”

Delightful as Dorthea is, however, the reverberations of her life have profoundly upsetting effects for her family. Her daughter, Artie (as in Artemis), is a neurotic who stays on the run so her mother can’t find her. Artie has trouble with her memories, she admits: She can’t forget anything.

And Dorthea’s granddaughter, Echo (meant to reflect the beauty of others), can spell and define the most arcane words in the English language, but cannot communicate with her own mother and is lost in the world of emotions.

The three make an interesting study in the swirling changes in women’s lives in this century. Thankfully, director Gardner Howes steers the play toward simplicity and theatricality so that this 90-minute drama moves gracefully — and often humorously — through conflict and resolution.

Howes has made superb choices for the cast also. Lilias Outerbridge, as Dorthea, is a real star, delivering her lines with the conviction, profundity and whimsicality that only a woman of her age and skill could really manage. As Echo, Electra Behrens has a directness and musicality that is rare among young actors. Although Susan Abbott, as Artie, can be overly emotive and difficult to understand from time to time, her tense stage presence and expressions of frustration are right-on.

Because Peter Stewart’s set is so minimal, the visual mood of the show falls to lighting designer William Lannon. He ably helps to establish the light and dark moods of these women, and the extraordinary — and quite recognizable — world in which their true colors show.

“Eleemosynary” will be performed at 8 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and 7 p.m. Oct. 8 and 15 at the Railroad Theater in Belfast. For information call 338-9668.