Published: October 26, 2006
By STARLA POINTER Of the News-Register
"Steel Magnolias" is a play about what a mother will do for her child, about love and loss, about continuing to live, about Southern sass. But most of all, it's about the family-like bond that women friends create: how they squabble like siblings yet support one another like nobody's business as well.
Undoubtedly, such a connection really exists between the actresses in Gallery Theater's version of the show. The cast members are delivering lines written by Robert Harling, but the way they care for one another is genuine.
And that helps make this a superlative production - it shines like freshly washed hair.
Although it will have you digging for Kleenex at times, "Steel Magnolias" is absolutely hilarious. The characters speak their minds, without reservation, about men, about religion, about relationships, about their neighbors, about one another. Especially about one another.
Interestingly, two of the actresses played different roles in Gallery's earlier version of "Steel Magnolias" back in 1991. Harmon appeared as Shelby and Nielsen played Clairee. Whether that experience gave them more insight into their present characters or not, they both do a marvelous job this time.
Harmon is hilarious in the broadly-drawn role of Truvy, the sassy beauty shop owner who cannot stand not being first to know. And Nielsen, who always does a great job with comic roles at Gallery, makes Ouiser as sassy as a spit curl.
Under the direction of Seth Renne, the whole cast does a super job. Sharon Morgan is Clairee this time around, and she's perfect as the recently widowed mayor's wife finding a life of her own. Holly Spencer looks young and vulnerable as Annelle, who comes looking for work and mothering at Truvy's shop. Mercedes Cook and Deborah Johansen are well-paired as Shelby and her mother, neither of whom can turn off her maternal instinct.
(During scene changes, I overheard several audience members wondering if Cook and Johansen were related - a compliment to their work. I also heard people comparing the Gallery actresses to those in the hit movie of "Steel Magnolias," also favorably.)
All the actresses are convincing with their Southern accents, especially Spencer, and none goes overboard. The costumes are almost characters in and of themselves - especially those worn by Harmon as Truvy. Same with the hair and makeup. And it's interesting to see how much the clothes reveal about the wearer, especially as Ouiser becomes more feminine and Annelle more pious.
A soundtrack of '80s and pre-'80s songs by the likes of Phil Collins, Elton John and Wham! adds to the atmosphere. The set is clever, with a hair-washing station as well as the other accouterments of a beauty shop.
The shop is the show's sole set, and all the action takes place there. That's one of the things that distinguishes the stage play from the movie version; another is the focus entirely on the six women. All in all, it's a much more satisfying piece without the distraction of other characters and other locales.
"Steel Magnolias" is perfect for Gallery's intimate Arena Theater. It's almost as if audience members are sitting under the dryers, pretending to read magazines but actually listening in on the gossip.
But the setting also is this production's flaw. The Arena holds fewer than 100 seats, which makes it likely that performances will sell out and people who haven't secured tickets early might be disappointed. Don't risk missing this one.
"Steel Magnolias" continues through Nov. 11 at Gallery Theater, Second and Ford streets in downtown McMinnville. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for seniors and students, with a $2 discount offered for advanced purchases. Call the box office at 503-472-2227 for reservations.
The Sunday, Oct. 29, performance is a fundraiser for the Yamhill-Carlton High School safe graduation party. Tickets are $15, available from 503-476-5481.
No comments:
Post a Comment