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Adults: $26 at the door or $24 in advance or $20 for groups of 10 or more
(Contact ticket office for group sales - 250-498-1626) Students: $18 with valid Student ID Multi-Show Subscription Savings:
Adults: $22 when buying tickets to two SOAP productions this season 0r $20 when buying tickets to all three shows this season (not available... only two shows left) |
Directed by Craig Bjornson
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What's it About?
Steel Magnolias is a stage play by American writer Robert Harling, based on his experience with his sister's death. The play is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. As the title suggests the "female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel". 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. Concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touching—and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters. |
The Playwright
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. |
What the Critics have Said
- “Harling has given his women sharp, funny dialogue…The play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving.” —New York Daily News.
- “…a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South…Robert Harling is a new voice in the theatre and the qualities of STEEL MAGNOLIAS suggest he may be an important one.” —Drama-Logue.
- “…suffused with humor and tinged with tragedy.” —New York Post.
- "A great show to direct. This production is always a crowd pleaser. The script provides great growth and challenges for actors..” --John B., Director. Yorkshire Playhouse (NE).
Characters - Watch for Auditions this Winter
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Truvy Jones is in her late thirties and owns a hair salon, which is the setting for the play. She is quite the gossip, and loves to be in everyone’s personal affairs. Her two sons are Louie, who attends Louisiana State University, and Poot, who is to work with her cousin in Baltimore. She is married to a man named Spud Jones who she describes as a "lazy old man." Truvy treats Annelle as a daughter, even though they are not related. She also loves listening to other people’s romantic experiences.
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto is young, between eighteen and twenty-five. She is new in town, and seeks out a job as a hair stylist at Truvy's salon and a room in a boarding house due to her lack of money. Annelle is a shy, private, and creative individual. She is kind and gracious towards the women she meets in the beauty salon.
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, mid-twenties, is the daughter of M’Lynn Eatenton. At the start of the play, she is about to get married to Jackson Latcherie. She has diabetes, but does not want her medical background to define her nor does she want to rely on others. She is a pediatric nurse and she wants to have children. However, it is not recommended for her to have children because of her medical conditions. She wants to have a very romantic and peaceful marriage instead of the hectic relationship that her parents have.
Ouiser Bourdeaux is an older woman in her late fifties to early sixties, often described as "bitter" or "annoyed." The things she values the most are her dog Rhett and her property. She is constantly arguing with M’Lynn’s husband Drum over property, but does have a deep and genuine concern for Shelby and her health. Even though she speaks poorly to the other women sometimes, she still considers them her closest companions. She has been married twice and has children.
M’Lynn Eatenton is the mother of Shelby. She also has two sons named Tommy and Jonathan, Shelby's brothers. She is around 40 years old. She is also the wife of Drum Eatenton, whom she believes is "crazy." She is the administrator of the Mental Guidance Center. Her main priority is her daughter Shelby; she takes great care of her daughter, almost to the point of becoming overprotective. On the surface, she appears strong and collected, but deep down she is fragile.
Clairee Belcher is the mayor's widow and the owner of the local radio station. She is older, around her late fifties. She is known for her "smart mouth" and "sweet tooth." She often puts herself down, but tends to remain playful whenever a serious topic arises. She is the only woman in the play without children, but she maintains close ties with her relatives.
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Truvy Jones is in her late thirties and owns a hair salon, which is the setting for the play. She is quite the gossip, and loves to be in everyone’s personal affairs. Her two sons are Louie, who attends Louisiana State University, and Poot, who is to work with her cousin in Baltimore. She is married to a man named Spud Jones who she describes as a "lazy old man." Truvy treats Annelle as a daughter, even though they are not related. She also loves listening to other people’s romantic experiences.
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto is young, between eighteen and twenty-five. She is new in town, and seeks out a job as a hair stylist at Truvy's salon and a room in a boarding house due to her lack of money. Annelle is a shy, private, and creative individual. She is kind and gracious towards the women she meets in the beauty salon.
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, mid-twenties, is the daughter of M’Lynn Eatenton. At the start of the play, she is about to get married to Jackson Latcherie. She has diabetes, but does not want her medical background to define her nor does she want to rely on others. She is a pediatric nurse and she wants to have children. However, it is not recommended for her to have children because of her medical conditions. She wants to have a very romantic and peaceful marriage instead of the hectic relationship that her parents have.
Ouiser Bourdeaux is an older woman in her late fifties to early sixties, often described as "bitter" or "annoyed." The things she values the most are her dog Rhett and her property. She is constantly arguing with M’Lynn’s husband Drum over property, but does have a deep and genuine concern for Shelby and her health. Even though she speaks poorly to the other women sometimes, she still considers them her closest companions. She has been married twice and has children.
M’Lynn Eatenton is the mother of Shelby. She also has two sons named Tommy and Jonathan, Shelby's brothers. She is around 40 years old. She is also the wife of Drum Eatenton, whom she believes is "crazy." She is the administrator of the Mental Guidance Center. Her main priority is her daughter Shelby; she takes great care of her daughter, almost to the point of becoming overprotective. On the surface, she appears strong and collected, but deep down she is fragile.
Clairee Belcher is the mayor's widow and the owner of the local radio station. She is older, around her late fifties. She is known for her "smart mouth" and "sweet tooth." She often puts herself down, but tends to remain playful whenever a serious topic arises. She is the only woman in the play without children, but she maintains close ties with her relatives.