In March, Theatre Calgary takes audiences to Chinquapin Parish, Lousiana, circa 1987. It’s here where we find Truvy’s Beauty Salon, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to gossip and have their hair done by Truvy. Sharing their stories, laughs and tears, Steel Magnolias is Robert Harling’s much-loved hit play featuring six amazing women who draw upon their strength and love to meet the challenges of life.
The play, which premiered in 1987, is based on the true story of Harling’s sister, Susan. He took Susan’s life story and added in memorable characters based on the strong Southern women “as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel” that he had known in his Louisiana hometown. In 1989, the story would be turned into a hit film that featured Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis, and more.
For Theatre Calgary’s production, director Valerie Planche wants the audience to understand that this play is all about friendships, life, and understanding.
“This is a play about unconditional love,” says Planche. “It’s about what makes great long-term relationships. The characters embody good communication, and a tolerance for imperfection. The ability to tolerate and see past someone’s flaws. The women in this play choose to hold each other with compassion and a good deal of humour. In a way, it’s exactly what we all need right now.”
Theatre Calgary Artistic Director Stafford Arima thinks that audiences will be able to easily relate to women in this show.
“All of the characters in Steel Magnolias remind me of my mom – big hearted, over-protective, opinionated, silly,” says Arima. “Perhaps our audiences too can find similarities within their family and extended family with these vibrant characters.”
The cast of Steel Magnolias features Patricia Darbase, Norma Lewis, Allison Lynch, Katelyn Morishita, Laura Parken, and Donnon Root. With the exception of Darbasie, who hails from Edmonton, all the cast are from Calgary. The creative team for this show is also made up completely of female artists from Calgary.
“The idea of women artists standing together to do their craft is really meaningful for me,” says Planche. “This team has given me hope. These brilliant women...wrestling and working and walking together.”
And how does Planche want the audience to feel when they come to the show?
“Designer Beth Kates and I want the audience to feel like the show is like a big peach cobbler. You know, one that has that wonderful sugary crispness around the crust. We want it to be a beautiful, luscious, theatrical experience,” says Planche. “I’m hoping that when people come into the theatre that they not only feel some spring warmth, but some hot Louisiana summer as they watch this show. This is such a great chance to just get out, have a a laugh, and celebrate life.”
Part comedy of manners, part heartfelt tearjerker, and featuring non-stop banter and wisecracks, this play about friendship, community, and the power of the human spirit is definitely what we all need right now.
Steel Magnolias runs from March 8th to April 3rd at the Max Bell Theatre in Arts Commons. Tickets at theatrecalgary.com.