Steel Magnolias
Screenwriter Robert Harling's play 'Steel Magnolias' is a metaphoric narrative based on his sister, who died at 33 years of age of complications of diabetes after giving birth to her child. However, the name of this infamous play symbolically conveys strength and beauty; because one will think that a magnolia flower is very delicate and fragile, but it is resilient and strong.
Thirty-three years after its premiere in 1989, Steel Magnolias, the forever tearjerker story, hit the big screen with grand success and is back on stage at Drury Lane.
The message of sentimentality behind Harling's bond of female friendship set in the fictitious town of Chinquapin, Louisiana, has that charming southern appeal. Hailed as the celebration of women, Steel Magnolia captures the emotional power of six intense and feisty women, infused with a mixture of vigor and vulnerability in each character.
This delightful play will warm your heart with its magnetism wit about how friendship endures the test of life challenges. The camaraderie of the ladies is very entertaining. In addition, the play brought awareness to the issue of organ donation, reproducing against medical advice and suffering the terrible consequences.
Centered around a beauty parlor and the life of a young lady named Shelby, who is preparing for her special day of marriage, the storyline reflects on her journey of trials and tribulations of life and death being a diabetic. As Shelby transitions from wife to mother, four ladies, Ouiser, Annelle, Truvy, Clairee, and M'Lynn, Shelby's mother, share their challenges and provide comfort.
Drury Lane brings to the stage six incredible and phenomenal women in Janet Ulrich Brooks, Amy J Carle, Lillian Castillo, Cordelia Dewdney, Elizabeth Ledo, and Susie McMonagle.
One of the favorite lines comes from Ouiser, played by Janet Ulrich Brooks, "I'm not crazy, M'Lynn, I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years!" Brooks, who I love in everything she does, was fantastic as the sarcastic, cantankerous Ouiser.
It was like you were hearing the soul and spirit of Katharine Hepburn; Cordelia Dewdney captured the charisma of Shelby, who would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.
Amy J. Carle portrays M'Lynn, Shelby's mother and community therapist, who love and concern for Shelby's health fears come to past when she gives birth to her son, Jackson Jr.
Lillian Castillo plays Annelle, the secretive stranger who recently moved to town. She gets a job at Truvy's parlor and slowly provides answers to her past. She shares information regarding her husband and her fears of being convicted due to his wayward life. She becomes somewhat of a religious fanatic, but her words of wisdom help heal the soul of M'Lynn.
Elizabeth Ledo portrays the Dolly Parton role of Truvy Jones. Ledo's bubbly and magical personality shines in the role.
And the ultra-sophisticated lady of them all is Clairee, played by Susie McMonagle, who purchased a radio station, enjoys football, and needling Ouiser.
Making her Drury Lane debut, Johanna McKenzie Miller uses the cleverness of Robert Harling's wit, charm, sadness, and sisterhood in the play format, which differs from the movie, in which the main focal point is Truvy's beauty salon. In addition, the play doesn't include any male characters shown in the movie version.
The astonishing cast of Sally Fields, Julia Robert, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, and incomparable Olympia Dukakis from the 1989 movie is widely known as one of the most moving and passionate portrayals of womanhood. And Drury Lane's Steel Magnolias captures that love and affection.
These ladies will bring laughter, enjoyment, sadness, and the sorrow of life together, leaving you blissfully laughing within your tears.
Let's Play Theatrical Review Recommends Steel Magnolias at The Drury Lane Theatre.
Drury Lane Theatre
Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harling
Directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller
June 10 – August 7, 2022
