Calumet Players: "Steel Magnolias"

Steel Magnolias:

The Story:  The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, 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 local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Playing the core group of characters are Diana Lejia as Truvy, Danielle Evers as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Denise Halbur as Clairee Belcher, Emily Blaeser as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, DJ Luethje as M’Lynn Eatenton, and Sirrina Martinez as Ouiser Boudreaux.  STEEL MAGNOLIAS is directed by Sylvia Newell and stage managed by Traci Nissen.

Steel Magnolias will be performed LIVE at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center on October 13-15 and October 20-22, with the showtimes starting at 7:30 p.m. for Friday-Saturday evening performances, and 2:00 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the PPAC website at www.pipestoneperformingartscenter.com, or by calling the PAC Box Office at 507-825-2020 or 877-722-2787 (Tuesday through Friday, 12p-4pm). Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students.

Additionally, the Calumet Players are hosting a Southern Style Buffet with all the fixings at 6 pm on Saturday, October 21. Tickets are $40 for the dinner and the performance and must be purchased in advance by calling the box office at 507-825-2020. Seating is limited for the dinner, so call soon to reserve your plate. A cash bar will also be available this evening only for all attendees.