Get ready to have your heart teased and tousled as Mountain Community Theater (MCT) presents “Steel Magnolias,” opening this weekend at Park Hall in Ben Lomond.
Co-directed by Peter Gelblum and Susan McKay, and starring Manirose Bobisuthi as Truvy Jones, Sarah Mitchler as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Lillian Bogovich as Claire Belcher, MarNae Taylor as M’Lynn Eatenton, Kate Cunningham as Ouiser Boudreaux and MCT newcomer Emerson Kapture as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, this production is sure to highlight the depth of talent that MCT proudly boasts.
This bittersweet comedy explores the dynamics of life, love, friendship and loss in a small-town Louisiana beauty parlor. Truvy, the outspoken owner, dispenses shampoos and free advice to her clients, who gather each week to talk, gab, gossip, needle and, above all, laugh. And then when tragedy strikes, the friends gather to cry, comfort, support and repair each other. These women are true steel magnolias: southern belles who are flowery on the outside but strong enough on the inside to survive any challenge, particularly when they stick together.
Fresh off his starring role as Kris Kringle in MCT’s “Miracle on 34th Street,” co-Director Peter Gelblum has been part of MCT for decades, and knows the goods when he sees them.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better cast for this show,” said Gelblum, nodding toward the six actors who star in the production.
Gelblum, who has pivoted between actor and director over the years, spoke with great affection about the way the cast has gelled and brought the play to life.
“I’ve directed 10-12 shows here, and this is only the second time where I got every actor that I wanted. That’s really rare, especially for community theater, and the talent that came out to audition was incredible. I think that’s because this is such a well-known show, and it really draws women to audition,” said Gelblum, who believes that the audience will leave with an understanding and appreciation of how women move through the world with compassion, love and support for each other.
“Steel Magnolias” was published in 1987, and was first performed by MCT in 1993. Although the play came first, most people recognize the story from the 1989 film of the same name, starring Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah. Roberts, a relative newcomer to the acting world at the time, was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for her performance as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, played by MCT newcomer Emerson Kapture.
Times have changed since the play took root in theater, but the concepts and emotions of the story remain steady, even today. Especially today.
“The script holds the space for what we do as women, which is take care of each other,” said Bobisuthi, who is a hairdresser in real life. “It amazes me that it was written by a man, and it’s being beautifully directed by a man who holds space for us as well. There is this unfolding and blossoming that has happened during this process; I get goosebumps.”
Bobisuthi said the strongest bond that Truvy has is with Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, played by Sarah Mitchler.
“The development of their relationship is so precious and so dear. Truvy loves everyone, but she really brings Annelle into the family,” added Bobisuthi.
Kapture, 24, who was born after the movie was released, said her introduction to “Steel Magnolias” was the day she found out about auditions. Her role as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie is the first acting role she’s had as an adult.
“It’s been a lot of fun to take on this character because she’s very flowery and playful, and I get to tap into those parts of her,” Kapture said.
Cunningham as Ouiser Boudreaux is entertained by her character’s lovable crankiness.
“She’s been unsuccessful in love and in the rearing of her children, but at the same time she’s wealthy and she can afford to be independent. She’s independent in both thought and action, and also has a cutting humor that slices through everyone else, and sometimes it goes a little too far. At the core of her, Ouiser is a warm-hearted woman who would give you the shirt off her back,” said Cunningham, who has been in several MCT productions, including “9 to 5,” “The Last Noel” and most recently “Calendar Girls.”
Cunningham said the fellowship of women is a core value within the play: “As I age, I cherish that fellowship so much, and look forward to sharing it on stage.”
Taylor’s first play with MCT was “Harvey” in 1983. She’s been in a number of productions since then, but said her most cherished show is “August of Osage County,” which Gelblum also directed.
Taylor, who is also the dialect coach for “Steel Magnolias,” plays M’Lynn Eatenton, and said the fit character-wise is a natural one.
“I have two daughters in real life, so I’m very drawn to the way that M’Lynn cares for her girls,” Taylor said. “I love doing shows that are a rich combination of comedy and drama. This show has both, and it’s a joy to be a part of it. This play feels like family, and my fellow actors feel like sisters. I feel like I’m home.”
Mitchler’s character, Annelle, is young.
“She’s 18 and awkward in her own body, and she’s surrounded by women who have come into their own and know who they are. She’s spent a lot of time idolizing women in magazines and wondering why she doesn’t look like them,” said Mitchler, who went on to say that Costume Designer Helen Suranoff asked Mitchler if she felt comfortable and confident in the clothing she was being assigned in the production.
“My response was, ‘Well, not necessarily, but I think that might be a good thing,’” Mitchler continued. “The other wonderful part of Annelie’s character is her incredible friendship with Truvy. As Annelle begins to trust herself along the way, she finds safety and community in her relationships with the other women. It’s a beautiful thing to watch the change in her—she goes from lost and abandoned to being grounded in herself and in her beliefs. It’s empowering to bring that physical and emotional transformation to the stage.”
Bogovich is stepping into just her second production with MCT, having done “The Lion in Winter” in 2017.
“Because I’ve both directed and been in this play previously, the energy is still very relevant today because it’s about female community,” Bogovich said. “There are marriages, deaths, divorces, births—all of those things that women share with each other are in the play, and they are still ever-present in the community. It’s a wonderful way to honor and celebrate those life-changing events.”
Feather your bangs, tighten your chignon and join the MCT team as they celebrate the strength of women in “Steel Magnolias.” The play runs from Friday, March 21, through Sunday, April 13, at Park Hall, 9400 Mill St. in Ben Lomond.
There will be an Opening Night Reception immediately following the performance on March 21; Community Night is Saturday, March 22, where all tickets are discounted, and there will be a post-show talkback on Sunday, March 30, after the performance.
Friday and Saturday shows are at 8pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets are available online at mctshows.org.
