by Marilyn Taylor
Coastal Journal contributor
BRUNSWICK - It isn’t the usual scheme of things when something is perfect. But that’s the word that best describes the current production of Steel Magnolias at the Theater Project in Brunswick.
The play is impeccably cast, performed and directed. It’s a pleasure to watch from beginning to end, even though the subject matter is not exactly upbeat all the time.
The action centers around Truvy's beauty parlor in Chinquapin, Louisisana and the women who regularly meet and bond there. The drama begins on the morning of young Shelby's wedding and covers events over the next three years. These events include Shelby's decision to have a child despite having Type 1 diabetes and the complications that result from that decision.
Liz Chambers (seated) as Shelby, and Wendy Poole as Truvy in 'Steel Magnolias'
Despite the dramatic nature of this underlying theme, Steel Magnolias is a delightful comedy, peppered with colorful and idisyncratic characters. We get a glimpse of the unlikely friendship between millionaire Clairee and curmudgeon Ouiser. We watch as Annelle transforms from a shy, anxious newcomer to a religious fundamentalist. And guiding the ship is the ever stalwart Truvy, dispensing equal amounts of shamppo and advice. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother M’Lynn, and Shelby's medical battles, the underlying group-friendship among all six women is the glue throughout.
Steel Magnolias began as a 1987 off-Broadway play by Robert Harling based on the author's experience with the death of his best friend, his diabetic sister. Harling found it difficult to cope with his loss and followed the advice of friends to write about his feelings. He wisely has his characters utilize humor and light hearted conversations to cope with the seriousness of the underlying situations.
This is a quintessential story of friendship, served up as a slice of life in Louisiana that's as comforting as a mint julep. In the safe haven of Truvy's beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets and bare their souls. From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they weather every event in their lives en masse with grace, determination, and perfectly coifed hair. This enduring comedy is a heartfelt celebration of love, loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood.
Key characters, in some sense, are foils to the main action -- they're witnesses, commentators -- and thus the actors face the challenge of creating enough character to keep us intrigued and yet not distract us. All succeed and it's difficult to pick the strongest.
Michele Livermore Wigton’s Ousier is tough, quirky and funny, and she plays the town harridan with a superb sense of timing. Wendy Poole’s Truvy acts as the hostess, anchor and storehouse of town gossip with absolutely stunning swagger.
The butt of much of the humor is Truvy’s assistant, Annelle, expertly played by Reba Short. Kate O’Neill provides Clairee with just the right amount of fluffy appeal.
The charms, innocence and naivete of central character Shelby are brought believably to life by Elizabeth Chambers. And Heather Weafer shines as Shelby’s mother M’Lynn.
This is not a production that depends on individual performances as much as on the ensemble working together. Director Christopher Price does a stellar job with this production, proving that the whole is definitely the sum of all its parts.
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