Steel Magnolias

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CHT

CHT

AUDIENCE-FAVORITE STEEL MAGNOLIAS WILL PULL HEART STRINGS AT CHT

The Church Hill Theatre main stage will recreate Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin Parish, where a group of iconic Louisiana women share joy, tears, laughter and heartbreak. Based on author Robert Harding’s own family experiences, Steel Magnolias was first a short story and a successful Off-Broadway play before becoming one of Hollywood’s most cherished films. This CHT revival, running from March 14 -30, will be a don’t-miss dramatic production.

Director Michael Moore (who directed last year’s hilarious Charlie’s Aunt) has assembled a cast of our favorite local actors who do full justice to the roles created by Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts in the 1989 movie.

The women, “as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel,” are long-time friends, sometimes frenemies, who dish dirt and news in the salon off Truvy’s back porch. And they all are really good talkers, so wait for the famous lines, like “I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years “or “Well, you know what they say: if you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me.”

Truvy’s mysterious new assistant Annelle gives them all fresh things to gossip about but their main concern is young Shelby Eatenton, about to get married despite a serious medical condition. Before the show ends, we will care deeply about all of the characters, because they have become members of our own vicarious families.

Truvy Jones, the glue that brings them together, is played by Heather Robuck. You’ve seen her at CHT in Sense and Sensibility and most recently in the Cabaret special. Ouiser Bourdreaux is the cranky pessimist who delights in being difficult. Debra McGuire, who played in Harvey and August, Osage County, nails this comic role. Another regular is the posh former mayor’s wife, Clairee, Ouiser’s only real friend. Jane Copple, another Cabaret performer who has been a CHT regular, plays Clairee.

Truvy’s new hire Annelle changes the most during the 3 years covered in the play, from a destitute and abandoned young woman to a devout young mother. She is played by Alana Coleman……..

The biggest drama concerns M’Lynn Eatenton and her daughter Shelby, who is about to be married. Shelby lives with type1 diabetes and must manage her medications carefully but is determined to live a full and rich life. M’Lynn is perhaps too protective, but the two enjoy a close and warm relationship. Kathy Jones plays M’Lynn and Adrienne Wrona plays Shelby. In 2024, Jones directed the holiday Christmas Carol show, had the lead role in August, Osage County and presented a one-woman coffee house musical evening. Wrona ????

The production crew has had fun returning to the 1980s, devising a set, costumes and props that evoke the languid atmosphere of a small southern town. CHT’s new lighting and sound system, as well as more comfortable seating, will welcome audiences to Natchitoches, Louisiana, for a memorable performance.

Steel Magnolias will open on Friday, March 14 and run through Sunday, March 30, with performances at 7:30 on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available at churchhilltheatre.org or from the box office at 410-556-6003.