By Jared Curtis

Women’s territory

Tales from the beauty parlor abound in ‘Steel Magnolias’

With its final production of the season, the Tallgrass Theatre Company presents “Steel Magnolias,” Robert Harling’s 1987 off-Broadway play that was made into a movie starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts in 1989. The play was based on the author’s experience with the death of his sister. “Steel Magnolias” is a comedy/drama about the bond among a group of southern women in northwest Louisiana, one that is meaningful to a local director.

“‘Steel Magnolias’ is a show that I’ve wanted to do for many years and finally was able to work it into this season. It is such a well-written script. The dialogue is so natural and it really conveys all of the emotions that the characters feel, without being overly cheesy,” said TTC Artistic Director and the play’s director, Jessie Phillips. “Directing this show has been great. I have had the privilege of working with an amazing cast, who all worked so hard to become their characters. Each of them brings so much to the table.”

“Steel Magnolias” centers around Truvy’s beauty parlor and the women who regularly gather there. The drama begins on the morning of Shelby’s wedding and covers events over the next three years.

“When I was in eighth grade, I was assigned a scene from ‘Steel Magnolias’ and proceeded to butcher it. Thus, I think my involvement in this show was karmic, and I had to right a past wrong,” said Lindsay Fox, who plays Shelby. “‘Steel Magnolias’ is verbally sharp and subtly clever, while also being very real and touching.”

Although the main storyline involves Shelby, M’Lynn (her mother) and Shelby’s medical battles, the underlying friendship among all six women is prominent throughout.

“It’s a play for each generation,” said Lindsay Johnson, who plays Annelle. “We’ve had a lot of fun and worked very hard to create the best product possible for the audience to experience.”

The show takes place in Truvy’s beauty shop. The actresses move smoothly throughout the shop casually chatting and styling hair, which could leave awkward moments, but these six ladies perform with ease.

“It’s been a fun experience getting to know each other, and the six of us have bonded well, and I believe that will be apparent in the performance,” said Julia Noyce, who plays Truvy. “Not only did I have to learn my lines, I also had to learn how to do hair. It’s been a challenge to actually look like I know what I’m doing as a hairdresser.”

For fans of the film, TTC’s interpretation will not disappoint.

“All of the characters are very richly developed. It’s a treat to be in a show in which all the characters are equally important, and they go through their own cycle of growth and change,” said Becky Scholtec, who plays M’Lynn. “It’s laugh-out-loud-funny and bring-your-hanky-sad. These women care for each other so deeply. Even though they are very different from each other, they always come back to that place of mutual care and respect. It’s a nice, warm, entertaining place to spend a couple of hours.”

Stage notes: This year marks the Civic Center’s 30th season of presenting professional touring Broadway in central Iowa. The 2008-2009 Willis Broadway Series Season consists of “Frost/Nixon” Sept. 30 through Oct. 5, “Spring Awakening” Jan. 20-25, 2009, “Legally Blonde” Feb. 24 through March 1, 2009, “Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple” April 7-12, 2009 and “Wicked” Sept. 23 through Oct.18, 2009. The 2008-2009 Willis Broadway Series Special Presentations are “Rain: The Beatles Experience” Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, “Monty Python’s Spamalot” Dec. 23-28, “Hairspray” March 20-22, 2009 and “Mamma Mia!” June 10-14, 2009. … StageWest concludes its 2007-08 season at the Stoner Theatre with the Midwest premiere of Christopher Durang’s new hit comedy fantasy about the afterlife, “Miss Witherspoon,” running May 2-4 and 7-11. Tickets are $16 to $20 and are on sale in at the Civic Center’s Ticket Office, online at www.civiccenter.org or through Ticketmaster 243-1888. CV

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