Berkshire on Stage

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling was originally seen off-Broadway in 1987 and made into a film in 1989. It has sustained its role as an iconic play about a group of women who gather in Truvy’s small town Louisiana home-hair salon where they share pithy observations along with personal heartache. Harling’s play is based on his sister who died at an early age due to diabetes. Sharon, Connecticut’s, Sharon Playhouse has mounted an engrossing production tempered by witty dialogue delivered by six stellar actresses. Though it has many comic moments this story emphasizes the humanity that binds the lives of neighbors and friends.

Truvy’s salon is a home-away-from-home where the women bicker, gossip and argue as they reveal the history of their lives together in the confines of this tight little world. The major story line that evolves follows Shelby (Etta Grover) as she prepares for her wedding. This event allows the women to discuss their husbands, children and life in general amid the fumes of hair spray with liberal dashes of Southern wisdom and eccentricity. Shelby’s mother M’Lynn (Marinell Crippen) is concerned about Shelby’s
becoming pregnant as she is a severe diabetic. Doctors have warned mother and daughter that this might endanger her life. A year and a half after the wedding Shelby announces that she is carrying a child to her delight and her mother’s dismay.

Truvy has hired the waif-like Annelle (Emma Simon) to assist in the shop. At first, Annelle is very private revealing little of her past. But she ultimately blossoms under the attention of Truvy and her customers. Clairee, (Susan Cella) the widow of the town’s mayor, is a bit of a know-it-all who sometimes lords it over her counterparts while Ouiser (Liza Vann) is the curmudgeon who thrives on the darkness of life. Despite their different backgrounds and personalities they all rally around the person who needs help and/or compassion.

The plot and the characters are absorbing, but it is the cast, under the direction of Jackson Gay, that brings the play to life. Grover’s Shelby is effervescent especially as she talks of her coming wedding and then ensuing motherhood. Her joy is infectious. When Crippen plays the scene in which she describes Shelby’s death to the group, her fragility and sorrow are heart-breaking. We can sense M’Lynn struggling to restrain painful emotions; her agony is palpable. Cody as Truvy is an endearing mother-hen as she endeavors to maintain the camaraderie of the group amid their individual struggles. She has some of the best one-liners in the play. Cella and Vann are colorful as Clairee and Ouiser. Though often antagonistic, especially to each other, they act together in times of need as their own expectations about life and love are challenged.

Ms. Gay’s fluid direction keeps the pace moving in a tight line. There is no wasted movement despite the number of characters onstage and the varying activities of the hairdressers and the hangers-on. She has gathered an ensemble cast which exists in a world all its own that plays off each other with elan and sensitivity. They are a pleasure to watch.

The set designed by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader is homey, especially since the play takes place in Truvy’s house. In addition to the two hair dressing chairs there are tables, shelves, counters, stairs to the living quarters, all contributing to a feeling of clutter and warmth.

Will Nash Broyle’s lighting complements and adds texture to the varying moods of the play. There are a number of offstage sound effects along with those in the shop created by Graham Stone that add to but not distract from the action. A radio is often heard featuring an overly upbeat announcer voiced by Dick Terhune to add more of a small town flavor.

Kathleen DeAngelis’s costumes, many indicative of the 1980’s, identify the characters and their attitudes while Kurt Alger’s wigs and makeup add the finishing touch to each woman’s personality.

After staging two rousing musicals this season, Rock of Ages and The Prom, this sensitive and moving production continues Sharon’s successful run of first-class theatre experiences.

Steel Magnolias; By Robert Harling; Director: Jackson Gay; Cast: Jen Cody (Truvy) Emma
Simon (Annelle) Susan Cella (Clairee) Etta Grover (Shelby) Marinell Crippen (M’Lynn) Liza Vann
(Ouiser); Production Stage Manager: Kristine Schlachter; Assistant Stage Manager: Kelly Ann
Hatfield; Scenic Designer: Christopher & Justin Swader; Costume Designer: Kathleen
DeAngelis; Lighting Designer: Will Nash Broyles; Sound Designer: Graham Stone; Wig and
Makeup Designer: Kurt Alger; Running time: 2 hours, 15 Minutes, one intermission; August 30-
September 8, 2024; for information go to their website at www.sharonplayhouse.org; or call 860-
648-7469