"Welfarewell," an award-winning play by Cat Delany, opens July 8 at The Playmakers' theatre, 121 W. 3rd St. in Grove, OK. Performances are July 8, 11, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30 pm; Sunday Matinees, July 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm. For reservations, call (918) 786-8950 and leave a message for the box office volunteer, email groveplaymakers @yahoo.com or reserve online at www.groveplaymakers.com. Entry prices are $15 for adults and $8 for students, Mid-school thru College. Group prices are available, as are discounted 'pay what you can' tickets.
Visit Grove Playmakers Theatre on Facebook for background, character bios, cast and crew photos, and interesting tidbits about the story and characters.
Esmerelda Quipp, 80 years of age, is still of sound mind, but has a body that is beginning to "come unglued", as she puts it. Having spent her working life as an actress, age pushing her gradually out of the business, she now faces the fact that her meagre government pension is insufficient to support her, even with her minimal needs. But, just because Essie is old doesn't mean that she can't fight for what she believes.
The play is a satire, lampooning of those living on not so livable fixed incomes, from out of work actors to hookers. It also includes a shoplifter, and a murderous wife. If that isn't a new, unusual group of people to hang out with for an evening, well, you need to break out more! These characters have interesting ways to break IN to a place where they don't have to pay bills, they get free food, warmth, a semi-comfortable bed, and sometimes a "get out of jail free card." They also have an understanding police woman, a naïve social worker, a very frustrated public defender, and a very seasoned, Shakespeare-loving judge. Completing the characters are a not-so-understanding landlady, a former theatre board member, and bank tellers.