Comedy/Drama
by Robert Harling
June 6 – 22, 2024
All shows at 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 6
Friday, June 7
Saturday, June 8
Wednesday, June 12 (value night)
Thursday, June 13
Friday, June 14
Saturday, June 15
Wednesday, June 19 (value night)
Thursday, June 20
Friday, June 21
Saturday, June 22
Runtime: 2 hours and 7 minutes,
including a 15 minute intermission
In Chinquapin, Louisiana, all the ladies who are “anybody” come to Truvy’s beauty salon. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether she’s still married), the wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to Ouiser (the town’s rich curmudgeon), Miss Clairee (an eccentric millionaire with a raging sweet tooth), and M’Lynn, the local social leader whose pretty daughter, Shelby, is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with both hilarious repartee and moving drama, the story is touching, funny, and marvelously lovable.
2024 Season Program
Robert Harling made his directorial debut with The Evening Star for Paramount, which he also wrote for the screen based on Larry McMurty’s novel. The Evening Star reunited Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson and co-stars Juliette Lewis, Bill Paxton, Scott Wolf, Miranda Richardson, and Marion Ross. The Evening Star is the continuation of one of the most beloved and acclaimed movies of our time, Terms of Endearment.
Before launching a successful stage and screenwriting career, Robert graduated from Tulane University School of Law, but instead of taking the bar exam, he opted to become an actor in New York. After years of productive work as an actor in voiceovers and commercials, Harling was inspired to write the highly acclaimed stage play Steel Magnolias, which was based on events from his personal life. Steel Magnolias continues to thrive in theatrical productions throughout the world. Immediately bridging a career from stage to screen, Harling adapted his original play into the popular film of the same title, which starred Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah.
Over the years, Mr. Harling has become a much sought-after screenwriter: other credits, to name a few, include Soapdish, which was based on Harling’s acting experience and starred Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robert Downey Jr., and First Wives Club for Paramount, starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton.
Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias as a tribute of sorts, for his sister Susan, who struggled with complications from diabetes. Robert did not want his two year old nephew to grow up not knowing anything about his mother. He kept the working manuscript in a drawer and added to it over time. Harling didn’t think the play would see the light of day, until a friend passed it on to an agent. The rest, as they say, is history!
Steel Magnolias premiered on Broadway 37 years ago and has graced many stages throughout those years! It’s a timeless piece as it centers on what matters most to many of us; the connections we have to others, whether family, friends who are chosen family, or a combination of both. I think these connections are ever present in Steel Magnolias.
The location of the play is Truvy’s neighborhood hair salon, a second home in a way, for the ladies we meet through the course of the show. They come, sip coffee, gossip, laugh, cry, and share true vulnerabilities. I find it interesting that they come before their appointment time or stay after just to visit with each other, as it is only a two chair salon. This is a true representation of the love and bond these women have, and just one of the reasons I think Steel Magnolias transcends time. It is a beautiful piece that showcases the connections women build, cherish and lean on in the toughest of times. Let’s all gather at Truvy’s and immerse ourselves in this special beauty shop where we will see each of these women share their dreams, frustrations, curiosities, vulnerabilities, advice, and even their immense grief.
Enjoy the show!
Anna Castelaz as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto
Stephanie Demyun as M’Lynn Eatenton
Joan End as Clairee Belcher
Cathy Marschall as Truvy Jones
Madison Penzkover as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie
Marilyn White as Ouiser Boudreaux
Director: Donna Daniels
Stage Manager: Lily Grochowski
Technical Director: Scott Fudali
Costume Designers: Ellen Rohr and Beccky Molyneux
Sound Designer: David A. Robins
Properties Designer: Teri Bergendahl
Properties Assistant: Shawn Spellman
