EVERETT – In 1985, Robert Harling, a struggling voice-over artist and actor, turned tears of mourning into life-affirming laughter by sharing the story of his sister’s premature death in “Steel Magnolias.” The one-set play takes place in a Chinquapin, La., beauty parlor. There, every Saturday morning, six friends meet for more than just a shampoo and set. Instead, as poignantly and hilariously portrayed by the Village Theatre company, the beauty parlor becomes a colorful sanctuary where honesty, friendship and perpetual acceptance are the “dos” of the day.
Directed by Jeff Steitzer, the six actors – Jayne Muirhead as Truvy, the beautician and shop owner; Susanna Wilson as Annelle, Truvy’s new assistant; Ellen McLain as Clairee, the genteel widow of the long-serving town mayor; Marianne Owen as M’Lynn, the stoic mother and mental health worker; Marianne Owen as Shelby, M’Lynn’s fragile diabetic yet effervescent daughter; and Laura Kenny as Ouiser, the pessimistic grump of the group – imbue each character with a colorful thread weaving a heart-warming blanket of friendship.
Muirhead’s Truvy is as bright as her orange high heels. The secret to Truvy’s business success: “There is no such thing as a natural beauty.” Her secret to life, which she proudly proclaims in a 30-second sermon: “It’s up to us to figure out why we were put on this earth.” Truvy embraces both beliefs with an enthusiastic, genuine joy for life.
Ouiser is red and purple – bold, brash, and yet endearing. Kenny is perfect as the feisty curmudgeon. Every time the Peggy Platt-like actress storms into the beauty parlor growling, she’s impossible to ignore. “I’m not crazy,” she bellows, “I’ve just been in a bad mood for 40 years.”
M’Lynn’s subdued darker thread is a glowing contrast to Shelby’s warmth. Owen’s Shelby lights up the room with her optimism and with her favorite color, pink. Determined not to let her health limit her life, Shelby would rather have “30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special,” which sadly, she does. Though not before trying her mother’s sturdy navy personality with a wedding sanctuary that looks like it was “hosed down with Pepto Bismol.”
Their relationship is believably honest, a pair so outwardly different, but so inwardly alike – two strong women determined to the core.
Add Annelle, a shy budding bloom who, despite a tough start in life, discovers the color of her own path amongst this group’s total acceptance.
Together they represent the strength and power of female friendship and bonding at its finest. The entire cast is outstanding.
Despite the fact that the audience was probably familiar with the show’s conclusion, sniffles were heard throughout Friday night’s funny yet sincere and touching performance.
Village Theatre photo
Jayne Muirhead as Truvy and Marianne Owen as Shelby in “Steel Magnolias.”
“Steel Magnolias”: Village Theatre production through March 20, $26 through $42. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett; 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org.
Review
“Steel Magnolias”: Village Theatre production through March 20, $26 through $42. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett; 425-257-8600, www.villagetheatre.org.
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