Hankies out for 'Steel Magnolias'
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald From left, Annelle (Emma Russell), Ouiser (Barbara Sloan) and Truvy (Sharon Winningham) swoon over a picture of Shelby’s (Laura Knittle, foreground) son in the Masquers production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ opening April 21.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Clairee (Cheri Barbre, front) discusses her family’s foibles while Annelle (Emma Russell, background) says a prayer in the Masquers production of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ opening April 21.
SOAP LAKE — The story of the lives of six friends through good times and bad comes to the Masquers Theater stage beginning April 21. “Steel Magnolias” will run for three weekends, at 7 p.m. April 21 and 22, 28 and 29 and May 5 and 6. Three Sunday matinées are scheduled as well, at 2 p.m. April 23 and 30 and May 7.
Masquers Theater is located at 322 East Main St., Soap Lake.
This will be the second time at the helm of “Steel Magnolias” for director Randy Brooks; the play is one of his personal favorites, he said. “Very well-written show.” He directed the first Masquers production in about 2001.
“Steel Magnolias” tells the story of six women who work and hang out at Truvy’s beauty shop in a fictional town in Louisiana. The play was written by Robert Harling as a tribute to his sister Susan Harling Robinson. It premiered off-Broadway in 1988 and was made into a movie in 1990.
Truvy (Sharon Winningham in the Masquers production) and Annelle (Emma Russell) cut and style hair, receive and dispense advice, gossip about goings-on in their community. But the staff and their customers also support each other, both when times are good and when things go bad.
Shelby (Laura Knittle) is a diabetic, and the birth of her son leads to complications. Her mom M’Lynn (Melissa Sloan) is deeply worried about her daughter’s health – with good reason. As Shelby and her mom need more and more support, their friends rally around, including Miss Clairee (Cheri Barbre) and Ouiser (Barbara Sloan), who are friendly sparring partners in good times.
“Lots of emotion,” Brooks said.
“Steel Magnolias” is a “great ensemble show. Everybody is a star.” Each cast member has scenes where their character is the focus of the action, he said. All the characters are well-written and fully developed as characters, he said.
“The dialogue is very real.” He’s never known an actress, he said, who didn’t want a role in “Steel Magnolias,” once they read it. The 2017 production drew almost 30 women for the auditions. “I could’ve cast the show twice, easily, with quality people.”
Tickets are $14 general admission, $10 for seniors, and can be purchased on the Masquers website, www.masquers.com. Advance purchase is recommended.