Pompano Player’s matinee production of Steel Magnolias on Saturday, November 8, was poignant and witty, with plenty of southern charm. Before researching Robert Harling’s play, several thoughts came to mind. Does this script stand the test of time? The answer is a resounding yes. Steel Magnolias premiered on Broadway in 1987. The original movie, with its amazing cast, hit theaters in 1989 and received three Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. The story reappeared on the big screen again in 2012 with an African American cast featuring Queen Latifah and Alfre Woodward. What gives this heart-wrenching drama its unique durability? Maybe its unique name, Steel Magnolias, contributes to its attraction. The contradiction of terms doesn’t match until you look at it from the perspective of these strong women: women as delicate and fragile as magnolias and as tough as steel at the same time. This cast took both aspects to heart, showing their own unique strengths, with grit and vulnerability.
Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias as a cathartic piece while grieving the loss of his sister in 1985. A very special group of northern Louisiana women helped him get through his difficult time of mourning. During this healing process, Harling wrote the story in just 10 days. Steel Magnolias is rich, thought-provoking, funny and sorrowful. It was obviously written from his heart.
The play itself takes place in one location, Truvy’s Salon, in northern Louisiana from 1983 to1985.This was certainly a challenge and director, Joseph Zettelmaier, handled his work masterfully. He created some wonderful visual tableaus that were snapshots of a time long past.
The cast of characters and employees frequenting the salon includes the salon owner, a mother-daughter duo planning a wedding, a woman who’s “been in a bad mood for 40 years,” a 60-year-old widow and a mysterious newcomer. At least once a week they convene in their secret little getaway, without their men, and share laughter and tears. There’s not enough hairspray in the world to diffuse their trials and tribulations.
It seems obvious that Harling, while grieving the loss of his sister, had a lot to say. The play covers two scenes in Act One and, following intermission, two additional scenes in Act Two. The two main storylines are relatively simple: the relationship between these six very different, fierce-in-their-own-way yet vulnerable women and the fragile, complex relationship between Shelby and her mother, M’Lynn.
When the play opens, Annelle, a relative newcomer in town, is doing Truvy’s hair as a tryout for a job at the salon. She is hired but manages to elude any questions about her past, adding some instant intrigue to her character. Clairee enters for her regular scheduled appointment and immediately starts snooping into Annelle’s mysterious past. The day, however, belongs to Shelby, the determined ingenue of the group, who is there for the perfect hairdo for her wedding day. M’Lynn, Shelby’s mother, enters and quickly shows her overprotective mother demeanor. It seems Shelby has health issues that are of more concern to M’Lynn than to Shelby. Shelby wants to enjoy her wedding – and her life – and not worry about effects of health issues on her future. During this opening scene, gun shots can be heard outside the salon. Shelby’s father, Drum Eatenton, is shooting birds out of trees so guests won’t get “surprises” dropped on them during the outdoor wedding. Ousier enters ornery as “all get up” because the gunshots are scaring her old dog.
Act 1 Scene 2 opens on the Saturday before Christmas and a few months after the wedding. This is depicted in the play with John Denver Christmas music. Some minimal set pieces and timely projections on the back wall of the salon convey the change in seasons and the passing of time. Annelle has not only discovered a talent in arts and crafts, for the tree and personalized gifts for her new friends, but she has also found religion. Shelby comes in with some life-changing news she shares with her mother, expecting an excited and thrilled response. She wants to lead her most fulfilling life but her overly protective mother shares only dismay and concern, thinking of Shelby’s health and her doctor’s warnings. The scene on the sofa between Shelby and her mother was the most authentic in the show: beautifully acted, truthful and sincere. The rest of the women find out about Shelby’s news and seem caught between joy and excitement and apprehension and concern.
Following intermission, Act 2 Scene 1 takes place fifteen months later. Shelby’s baby, Andie Catherine, is born. Shelby is thrilled to have a living legacy that will grow up to bring joy and grace to her family and community. M’Lynn, on the other hand, has some very real reservations about the physical health toll raising Andie will have on Shelby. This disagreement shows optimistic child rebellion versus a mother’s honest and realistic concerns for her daughter’s welfare. The end of this scene reveals a well-hidden mother-daughter secret shocking everyone at the salon.
In Act 2, Scene 2 Annelle is doing Ouiser’s hair. More time has passed, as a Halloween pumpkin is projected on the back wall. When Annelle comes from behind the salon chair, the audience discovers she, too, is experiencing a life changing event. “Praise G-d!” M’Lynn arrives and brings up Shelby’s tragic medical battle. This scene is filled with raw emotion: awkwardness, anger, angst, sadness, sorrow and even laughter. Truvy states, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!” It is in this intense, heart-breaking, final scene when Harling brings everyone together to share and show their uncommon fortitude.
Each of the actresses had their own challenges because of their unique characters, not to mention there were so many lines to memorize. Good acting requires great character analysis, dissecting emotional changes and transitions and immersing yourself inside the person being portrayed. For the most part, this was done successfully.
Camille Schiavone portrayed Truvy with that sexy, spitfire approach, helping her to not only own the beauty salon but own the true confident and sassy Truvy. Her smart costume changes throughout the play added to her authenticity.
Abbey Alder as Annelle had the nervous quirkiness that made us want to get to know her character more. Watching her grow more overzealous in Act 2 would have added even more to her character’s development.
Alexandra Van Hasselt was the epitome of Shelby: wholesome, optimistic and always seeing the pink lining. She was perfectly cast and played her role honestly and with integrity.
Francine Birns played Clairee with poise and confidence. As she said, it’s easy to be sarcastic and say what you please when your widowed husband, the mayor, leaves you a ton of money. She portrayed that to a T!
Lissa Richey as Ouser typified a much older and cantankerous version of a sour patch kid. She was loud, rude and tells it like it is, which was exactly what her role demanded.
Autumn Kioti Horne, M’Lynn (Shelby’s mother), had the most difficult part to play. Being a mother, wanting what is best for your daughter, she was caught between a rock and a hard place. It was a difficult task to balance those emotions honestly but she portrayed her part in a very real and convincing way.
Kudos to all the actors for a job well done.
This production of Steel Magnolias is the definition of an ensemble piece. Not just the six skilled actresses, but the designers and back stage staff worked as a collaborative team. The show was like riding an emotional roller coaster with laughter, tears and a few bumps along the way with special attention given to some of the smallest details. The set, though functional, could have reflected a little more Louisiana charm. The pre-show and intermission music would have been better served with some Cajun Zydeco or New Orleans Jazz to help create a more authentic Louisianna tone.
One of Shelby’s lines resounded throughout the core of this show. “I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.” Every person involved in the show, and this afternoon’s audience, want to feel and experience a nano second they will never forget. For some, it is being in a play. For the rest of us, it is knowing that one moment in time can fill our hearts with pride. The Steel Magnolias cast and crew should feel that way after every performance. The rest of us can discover our minutes of wonderful hopefully many times over the course of our lifetimes.Steel Magnoliasruns through November 16th at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.
Bruce Weinberg has a Masters in Theater from, FSU. He has taught theater for 35 years and was an Adjunct Professor for Theater for 20 years at Broward College. He has adjudicated Theater competitions and given several acting workshops. Mr. Weinberg just completed his firs play, “Random Thoughts – Inside a Students Mind” that is now available on Amazon
