Steel Magnolias Brings True Southern Charm to Palace Theatre’s Broadway Series
By Michelle Cantey
Robert Harling’s semi-autobiographical play Steel Magnolias is the quintessential story of friendship. It’s Southerness at its finest as the storyline celebrates the love, loyalty and sisterhood between six Southern women. This is an incredible selection to kick off the 2010 Broadway at the Palace series by director Greg London.
Set in a small town in Louisiana, Truvy's Beauty Salon is the nucleus as these friends from very different walks of life come together to bare their souls, gossip and share the very deep bonds of friendship. From weddings to babies to funerals, they endure every event in each other’s lives with grace, humor and perfectly coifed (and colored) hair.
Steel Magnolias is blessed with a cast of extremely talented women who “own” their characters from the moment they burst onto stage. With Truvy and Annelle’s opening scene, one is taken aback by the naturalness of Karen Porter as Truvy. Her one-liner zingers, while teasing Shelby’s hair for the wedding or welcoming her “regular” ladies of the neighborhood for their appointments, seem to flow from her lips without a second thought. We affectionately dubbed them “Truvyisms.”
Leigh Sauvageau plays Annelle, the character who transforms the most throughout the performance. Her facial expressions and physical embodiment of Annelle are priceless.
Bonnie Rodgers is Clairee, the grand dame of Chinquapin, La. Bonnie is spot on with her performance of the Southern lady topped with a little sass and a lot of heart.
Vonna Gengo continues with the comic relief in the role of sassy Ouiser, whose dearest friends in the world are the ladies of Truvy’s beauty salon and her dog Rhett.
At the heart of Steel Magnolias is the storyline with M’Lynn and Shelby – the mother and daughter who frequent Truvy’s.
Ginny Quaglia is M’Lynn, the reserved mother of Shelby and wife of Drumm. The glue that holds the family together, M’Lynn finally allows herself to have the outburst that’s so desperately needed in the final scene.
Meghan Parker is Shelby, the optimistic diabetic determined to make a life for herself and her family. One of her most memorable scenes is having the diabetic seizure while in the chair. Great job!
Those of us who remember the ‘80s with fondness will get a kick out of the fashion flashbacks and wardrobe selections for some of the cast members. According to London, Costume Designer Melissa-Anne Blizzard raided her mother’s closet to find authentic jelly shoes, sweater and clothing items. Thanks for the flashback!
Throughout the performance, the cast delivered their one-liners with accuracy and the moving lines of dialogue with heartfelt sincerity. The audience reacted with rolls of laughter and tears – signs to the cast that they delivered a brilliant performance! Bravo, Ladies!
Broadway at the Palace features six productions in the 2010 lineup: Steel Magnolias (now playing through Feb. 14); Forever Plaid (Feb. 23-April 3); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (April 20-May 9); Nunsense (Sept. 14-Oct. 17); Blithe Spirit (Oct. 26-Nov. 14) and Frank Sinatra Christmas Show (Nov. 26-Dec. 19). For more information on show times and tickets, call 843-448-0588. Group reservations are available for groups of 15 or more. Please call 843-626-8927 for details. For more information on upcoming performances at the Palace Theatre, visit www.palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com.
Photo Gallery
Memorable Quotes from Steel Magnolias
(may also be known as Magnoliaisms)
"There is no such thing as natural beauty."
"Oh get with it, Clairee. This is the eighties. If you can achieve puberty, you can achieve a past."
"When it comes to pain and suffering, she's right up there with Elizabeth Taylor."
"In a good shoe, I wear a size six, but a seven feels so good, I buy a size eight."
"I would walk on my own lips to keep from criticizing."
"Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face."
"There's so much static electricity in this room, I pick up everything but boys and money."
"Oh, Sammy's so confused he don't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt."
"I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence."
"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."
"Smile! It increases your face value."
"Louie brought his new girlfriend over, and the nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly."
"Maybe she's praying for Marshall and Drew and Belle. Maybe she's praying for us because we're gossiping. Maybe she's praying because the elastic is shot in her pantyhose! Who knows! She prays at the drop of a hat these days."
"Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair."
"Pink is my signature color."
"Well, we went skinny dipping and we did things that frightened the fish."
"Remember what Daddy always says – an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure!"
[Referring to her daughter's many pink wedding decorations] "That sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol."
"I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh God. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life."
"The only reason people are nice to me is because I have more money than God."
"You are too twisted for color TV!"
"I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years!"
"A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste."
"I do not see plays, because I can nap at home for free. And I don't see movies 'cause they're trash, and they got nothin' but naked people in 'em! And I don't read books, 'cause if they're any good, they're gonna make 'em into a miniseries."
"Well, you know what they say: if you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!"
"They were both high. They'd been smokin' everything but their shoes."
(to Ouiser) "I love ya more than my luggage."
"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger."
"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."
"Ouiser, you sound almost chipper. What happened today – you run over a small child or something?"
Cast Quips
Ouiser Boudreaux: Oh! Well don't you expect me to come to one of your churches or one of those tent-revivals with all those Bible-beaters doin' God-only-knows-what! They'd probably make me eat a live chicken!
Annelle: Not on your first visit!
Clairee Belcher: Very good, Annelle! Spoken like a true smart-ass!
Clairee: And I can also report that a mysterious car is parked in her driveway at least once a week ...
Ouiser Boudreaux: There. My secret’s out. I'm having an affair with a Mercedes Benz!
Truvy: What are your colors, Shelby?
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful."
M'Lynn: Her colors are "pink" and pink."
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful" Mama!
M'Lynn: How pretentious is this weddin' gonna get, I ask you?
Clairee: Here! [grabbing Ouiser by the shoulder and positioning her in front of M'Lynn] Hit this! Go ahead M'Lynn, slap her!
Ouiser Boudreaux: Are you crazy?
Clairee: Hit her!
There are no comments posted. Add yours below.