By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
The late Joan Rivers once commented, “Life is so tough; we all know that. You better laugh at everything.”
Ms. Rivers’ dictum is followed very well in the Alliance Theatre’s current production of “Steel Magnolias,” running through November 9.
Playwright Robert Harling’s tribute to his sister, as most folks know, became a major Hollywood film in 1989 with an all-star cast; it has garnered a wide and devoted following, many of whom can quote its “bumper sticker” lines, such as “There’s no such thing as natural beauty.”
That line is a favorite of the proprietor of Truvy’s Beauty Shop in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana—Truvy herself, of course.
The Alliance has hired Tony-winning actress Judith Ivey (who brilliantly directed “Carapace” here in 2011) to guide seven Broadway and TV veteran actors (six of whom are women; we’re at Truvy’s, you know).
Shelby (Zoe Winters) is a pretty young woman engaged to be married; she also has type one diabetes. Her mother M’Lynn (Beth Broderick) is concerned because she is well aware of Shelby’s love of children; and to have a child is risky for Shelby.
The heart of the play is the loving camaraderie the women who visit Truvy’s have. They tease and poke fun at the various peccadillos of the group, but they are there for one another. In general, women do this better than men; that’s why they live longer. But you knew that.
As I mention the name of the characters, I’ll bet you recall them. There is Clairee (Becky Ann Baker); the cantankerous Ouiser, who hides a big heart (Mary Pat Gleason); Truvy (Deirdre Lovejoy); Annelle, the shy new girl in town soon to turn revival-tent Christian (Sarah Stiles); and there is the Radio DJ (not seen) golden voice of David de Vries.
All of these women give performances worthy of the polished professionals they are. I have two personal favorites. The first is Sarah Stiles’ Annelle, because she runs the gamut: daffy, dopey, shy, and devoted; I expect we’ll be hearing from Ms. Stiles again—stage, TV, film. I also admire Mary Pat Gleason’s Ouiser; you sense the character’s great heart, in addition to her rollicking big-voiced humor.
Michael Yeargan’s set of Truvy’s shop is exquisite and detailed and beautiful; I also love the way it’s placed way down front—a wise move.
But we can’t ignore the elephant in the room: The 1989 film was loaded with star power (Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Darryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts) and they’re impossible to forget. In addition, the movie could and did move around, showing many locations; and it also added actors only mentioned in the play.
However, the play surprised me with unexpected delicacy and subtlety; and for this I credit the director, Ms. Ivey.
So if you love the characters and those funny lines and live theatre, you’ll have a great time. If you’re fixated on the delights of the film, you won’t. I enjoyed both, but you decide.
For tickets and information, visit allliancetheatre.org.
