The first time I saw
Steel Magnolias on stage (because of course the popular 1989 movie was a play first) was
at Yellow Tree Theatre 13 years ago. Enough time has passed for them to revisit this funny and heart-warming story of female friendship. The last time I saw it was the
at the Guthrie five years ago, in which Yellow Tree's Artistic Director Austene Van played Truvy. She moves to the director's chair for this production, leading a fantastic cast in this lovely production. I brought a group of female friends (as is my tradition at Yellow Tree, since I used to work at a nearby office), none of whom had seen the play (some not even the movie), and a good time was had by all. Well, a good time, and also a few tears. But as Truvy says, "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!" Spend a couple of hours with these
Steel Magnolias at
Yellow Tree in Osseo now through December 22.
The play takes place entirely in Truvy's Salon on four Saturday mornings over a couple of years in the late '80s, marked by events in young Shelby's life - the morning of her wedding; the following Christmas when she announces that she is pregnant, which poses a danger to her health; shortly before her mother donates a kidney to her; and (30-year-old spoiler alert!) after her death. The beauty salon is a place where the women gather not just to get their hair done, but also to gossip, needle each other, laugh, and support each other in whatever way is needed. Truvy is the mother hen, and a mentor to new stylist Annelle, who transforms from an insecure abandoned wife, to a party girl, to a born-again Christian, to a wife and mother. Regular customers include the delightfully grumpy and matter-of-fact Ousier and her frenemy, the wealthy and recently widowed Clairee. And then there's Shelby's mother M'Lynn, who would do anything to save her daughter, even while she knows that she can't.*
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Truvy (Tolu Ekisola) gives Shelby (Tara Borman) the bride's treatment
(with Maggie Cramer and Jane Froiland, photo by Alex Clark) |
Playwright Robert Harling (who wrote the play after the death of his diabetic sister, inspired by the strong Southern women in his life) created six very different and specific characters for this play. There's not a whole lot of action, it really is just this group of women sitting around a beauty salon talking, laughing, arguing, and crying. These six actors fill each of these specific roles, and bring their own unique qualities to it. Tolu Ekisola is funny and spicy as Truvy, the heart of the show. Maggie Cramer (back from a summer at the
magical theater oasis in middle of the Wisconsin woods) believably plays all versions of Annelle, from scared newcomer to born-again Christian to one of the gang. Nora Targonski-O'Brien embodies the elegant former mayor's wife, with a fun chemistry with Laura Esping's Ousier, hilariously spitting out her sarcastic lines. Jane Froiland is both funny and heart-breaking as M'Lynn, and Tara Borman is a natural as Shelby, making it easy to see why everyone loves her so. Under Austene's direction they feel like a little family, and play both the humor and the tragedy of the piece well.
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Ouisier (Laura Esping) has something to say
(with Maggie Cramer and Jane Froiland, photo by Alex Clark) |
Yellow Tree's intimate stage has been completely transformed into a beauty salon, complete with a little garden area behind it. It's chock full of vintage '80s furniture, decor, and hair accessories. And there is actually some hair being done on stage! Characters are dressed in fun '80s costumes specific to their personality and style, with Shelby of course in pink. (Scenic design by Sarah Brander, props design by Brandt Roberts, costume design by Jamakah Webb.)
