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Steel Magnolias

The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinuapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise – cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the social leader, M’Lynn, whose daugther Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole southern boy”. Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few abrasive but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves towards tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is diabetic) has a risky pregnancy. The sudden realization of their morality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength – and love – which give the play, and it’s characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad. These ladies are made of steel.


Cast Description


Truvy Jones: 40 – year old owner of a small town beauty shop. She knows everyones business and shares it with anyone who will listen. Southern Belle. She always has advice for you, and they often come in the form of country sayings.

M’Lynn Eatenton: 50 – year – old mother of Shelby. She is over – protective at times and finds the need to have a firm grasp on the world at all times. She is a busy woman who worries too much for her age.

Annelle Dupuy – Desoto: (19 – 25) Very shy twenty – year – old hair dresser. She goes from a very soft – spoken person to a bible – loving Christian with her heart on her sleeve.

Shelby Eatenton – Latcherie: Roughly 25 to 30 – year – old young lady. Prettiest girl in town, and loved by all. She has a weird relationship with her mother, and often rebels just for the sake of rebellion.

Clairee Belcher: 60 – year – old widow of the former mayor of Chinuapin. She is wealthy and also knows everyone’s business. She is the sarcastic member of the group. She loves to laugh and poke fun at the little things that others cry over. She is very close with Ouiser.

Ouiser Bourdeaux: (Pronounced Weezer). She is the same age as Clairee. She is a wealthy old bitty. She is a loveable miserable lady, though. Her unique personality and sense of humor is a great relief in the serious scenes. She is very close to Clairee.

Key Dates

Cast Members

Tuesday 28th June – Information Night.
Saturday 2nd July – Auditions.
Sunday 3rd July – Audition Call Backs.
Thursday 14th July – Rehearsals Start
Friday 21st October – Opening Night at 7:30pm
Saturday 22nd October – Performance 7:30pm
Sunday 23rd October – Performance 2:00pm
Thursday 27th October – Support Cast Special Evening Performance 7:30pm
Friday 28th October – Performance 7:30pm
Saturday 29th October – Performance 7:30pm
Sunday 30th October – Performance 2:00pm


Production Team

Director – Dale Roberts
Assistant Director – Bronwyn Prater
Producer – Kathy Skidmore
Assistant Producer – Laura Varapodio
Lighting Designer – Troy McKindley
Lighting Operator – TBA
Sound Designer – Troy McKindley
Sound Operator – Troy McKindley
Set Design – John Lancaster
Costume Coordinator- Jen Fantig
Props Coordinator- Noella Kay
Marketing – Nicky Pummeroy and Wendy Platt

Truvy Jones: Jackie Skurrie
M’Lynn Eatenton: Fiona Wallace
Annelle Dupuy – Desoto: Laura Varapodio
Shelby Eatenton – Latcherie: Stevie Renee
Clairee Belcher: Fiona Kennan
Ouiser Bourdeaux: Carol Davidson


Understudies

M’Lynn Eatenton: Amy Hollow
Annelle Dupuy – Desoto: Stephanie Romeo
Clairee Belcher: Rae Wood
Ouiser Bourdeaux: Liz Zito

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