Steel Magnolias

by Robert Harling

The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength – and love – which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Performance dates: September 27, 28, October 5, 6, 11, 12, 2019

Cast

  • Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto – Christine Zdebski
  • Truvy Jones – Jami Wilson
  • Clairee Belcher -Lee Ann Madersky
  • Shelby Eatonton-Latcherie – Emily Smith
  • M’Lynn Eatonton – Carol Cisek
  • Ouiser Boudreaux – Sunny Kirkham-Barbour

Crew

  • Director – Jeffrey Flood
  • Stage Manager – Dorrie Mitchell
  • Technical Director – Erin Chaffee
  • Lights & Sound – Erin Chaffee
  • Costumes – Rhonda Villanova & the cast
  • Props – Erin Chaffee
  • Set Design & Decor – Franc Aquas
  • Set Construction – Franc Aguas, Erin Chaffee, Justin Martin
  • Producer – Justin Martin
  • Publicity – Angela Taylor, Betty Domer, Stephanie Zdebski, Cheryl Zdebski, Regina Erpenbeck
  • Program & Display – Shirley Warner
  • Photography– Erin Chaffee
  • House Manager – Regina Erpenbeck, Shirley Warner
  • Box Office – Betty Domer, Sue Moak

Steel Magnolias is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.