Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
May 8, 2008 issue
Wilkes Playmakers Present Steel Magnolias May 15 through 19
Story by Celeste von Mangan
The Wilkes Playmakers present their production of Steel Magnolias on Thursday, May 15, through Monday, May 19, at Benton Hall in Wilkesboro. Except for a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. all shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Steel Magnolias began as an off-Broadway play written by Robert Harling that first premiered in 1987. Two years later, the movie version of Steel Magnolias was released, followed by a television pilot.
Husband and wife David and Karen Reynolds direct the Wilkes Playmakers version of Steel Magnolias.
“The real draw for anyone who has seen the movie or play is that it is about friends and the strong bonds that they form,” said Karen. “From this particular group of women—particularly M’Lynn and her daughter Shelby—the story centers around Shelby’s wedding, or getting ready for it and her desire to have a child.
She is a Type I diabetic. With Type I diabetes mellitus, you have the disease since childhood and the dangers of having a child yourself are very serious. The women who gather at Truvy’s Beauty Shop in Chinquapin, Louisiana come to realize their own mortality through Shelby’s illness. It is a show that makes you laugh and makes you cry. As one of the characters states in the play, ‘Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.’ You laugh so much with these characters that it is painful when you cry.”
The term steel magnolias has become synonymous with strong Southern women. Harling wrote the play based on real people and real incidents, in part to help him cope with the death of his older sister who was a diabetic. The story centers around Truvy’s Beauty Shop, run from her home, where a set of regulars gathers to discuss life, love and relationships, finding their strength through one another and ultimately, within themselves. Truvy, the shop’s owner, dispenses shampoo and free advice. Friendship, kindness and compassion are the compelling themes offered by the story, peppered throughout with a good dose of hilarity, heartbreak and family dynamics.
The cast of characters and the actresses portraying them include Paula Joines as Truvy Jones, Susan Ringo as Annelle Dupuy, Dianne Steele portrays Clairee Belcher, Nicole Hayes is Shelby Eatonton-Latcherie, Karen Reynolds as M’Lynn Eatonton and Sarah Smith takes on the role of Ouiser Boudreaux.
“The dialogue is so real, so well written that it sounds like you are eavesdropping on a conversation in the beauty shop,” said Karen. “The play is very appropriate for Mother’s Day.”
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets at the Wilkes Playmakers box office, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Call 336-838-7529 to purchase tickets by phone with Mastercard or Visa. Click to www.wilkesplaymakers.com to purchase tickets online.
Want To Go?
Dates: Thursday, May 15, through Monday, May 19
Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Monday/2:00 p.m. Sunday p.m.
Location: Benton Hall, Wilkesboro
Cost: $10 adults/$8 students and seniors