Waterworks Players is pleased to announce that this year’s summer production will be Steel Magnolias. Set in rural Louisiana, playwright Robert Harling draws from his own personal experience concerning the death of his sister in order to explore how Southern women utilize humor to assist them in coping with difficult, personal situations.
All of the action is centered in the beauty parlor of Truvy Jones, who will be played by Rosemary Pollard. The play focuses on the bond nurtured by a group of six women who regularly meet there, including Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Kelly Martin), Clairee Belcher (Martha Womack), Annelle Dupuy-Desoto (Taylor Southall), M’Lynn Eatenton (Linda Sauve), and Louisa ‘Ouiser’ Boudreaux (Debby Elliot).
Each woman is facing her own battle, ranging from Shelby’s problems with diabetes, to Truvy’s relationships with the men in her life as well as Annelle’s identity crisis that jumps from a partying woman to a religious fundamentalist.
The drama begins on the morning of Shelby’s wedding to Jackson and covers events over the next three years, including Shelby’s decision to have a child despite having diabetes and the complications that result from that decision.
Kelly Martin, a newcomer to Waterworks, says she remembers loving the movie version of Steel Magnolias and the character she will portray. “Shelby,” according to Martin, “is in her twenties, close to her mother, and not that different from me.”
Martha Womack, who has been involved at Waterworks since 1989, is also excited about her role as Clairee. “I remember seeing Steel Magnolias a few years ago on Broadway and have wanted to do this show ever since.”
“Being on the stage,” according to Womack, “never gets old.”
Dudley Sauve, Waterworks’ artistic director, notes that this show has its challenges. “Dealing with a large number of props and constant dialogue and motion means I have to make sure each character who is speaking is focused and doing the chores she is required to do in the scene.” According to Sauve, “It’s kind of like a choreographed dance, every line has movement.”
Make reservations now to attend Waterworks Players’ production of Steel Magnolias. Performances are at 8:00 P.M. on July 24, 25, 31 and August 1. Tickets are $10. You can obtain tickets by calling the box office at 434-392-3452 or visiting the web site: http://waterworksplayers.org.
