Laughter Through Tears - Steel Magnolias at The Theater Project

"Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something" wonders one character in the Theater Project's latest Professional Ensemble production. Opening in May, Robert Harling's comedy/drama 'Steel Magnolias" centers around a small-town beauty parlor and the group of women who gather there.  Filled with witty, sometimes revealing repartee, the play follows the friends through life's big events - weddings, birth, illness - as well as its day-to-day trivialities, and what it takes to get through it all. And as it turns out, it takes a woman's strength. 

Director Christopher Price says, "'Steel Magnolias' is certainly a well known work; it's one of the most often produced plays in the country, and was, of course, made into a very popular movie. The story of six women helping each other cope with life events - birth, marriage, illness, death - with strength and grace is in many respects a celebration of the commonplace, and thus wide open to cliche. The appeal and the challenge for me is finding a way to present the story in a sincere, non-manipulative and honest way. The solution to this lies in the strength of the actors."

Unlike the movie, there are no male actors in the stage play. The last time The Theater Project presented an all-female production was 'Necessary Targets' in 2004, and 'Steel Magnolias' brings together most of that highly-acclaimed cast. The production includes Wendy Poole as sassy beauty parlor owner Truvy, Reba Short as her new assistant Annelle (who may have something of a past), Michele Livermore Wigton as wealthy and foul-tempered Ouiser, Heather Weafer as social leader M'Lynn, and Liz Chambers as her soon-to-be-married daughter Shelby. Newcomer to The Theater Project stage Kate O'Neill appears as Clairee, wife of the town's former mayor.   

"They are an extraordinary ensemble, most of whom I've worked with often in the past" says Price. "It is their talent that gives this production its warmth, its real pain, its humor, and ultimately the credibility it so richly deserves."

'Steel Magnolias' will run from May 2 to May 18.  Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. All tickets are $18. At the Mother's Day matinee, moms get in free with the purchase of another ticket. Call 729-8584 for reservations, or stop by 14 School Street in Brunswick.