Summer theatre closes this week at Crowder College with a look at the heart and fiber of American women in “Steel Magnolias.”
The play, set in Truvy’s Beauty Shop, chronicles the friendships and life changes of six women: Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, Shelby, M’Lynn and Ouiser.
“In the play version all of the action takes place in the salon,” said director Drew Fethers.
The script is always a crowd pleaser, he said, but in casting the play he found some of the younger people had never heard of it.
“I have always loved the show,” Fethers said. “I costumed the show at another theatre years ago and I always wanted to do it here.”
The set borrows some pieces from local salons – yes, there is a working sink – and a cast member happened to have the vintage beautician’s chairs. An old hair dryer chair donated to the college years ago still works and was pulled from storage to complete the set.
“They actually turn it on and it runs during the show,” Fethers said.
The play never budges from its beauty shop background and has an all-female cast, but that doesn’t limit the appeal.
“Just because it’s all women doesn’t mean that men can’t come,” said Nancy O’Banion.
She plays Truvy and says the play will give men a better understanding of the women in their life.
A long-time theatre instructor, she had never been in “Steel Magnolias,” but jumped at the chance to audition. Her involvement with theatre began in high school and continued through college. She taught Fethers when he was a student at McAuley Catholic High School and today she teaches at Webb City High School.
Kathleen Higdon, a McAuley student, makes her debut on the Crowder stage as Annelle.
“It’s been probably one of my favorite characters,” Higdon said.
Annette Nethery, also a teacher, will bring her experience at Joplin Little Theatre to the Crowder stage as Clairee.Karen Lawson, of Roy’s Costumes and Formal Wear, will appear as M’Lynn. Three-time veteran of “Steel Magnolias” Betty Bell will appear at Crowder in a new role: previously appearing as Clairee, she will appear as Ouiser in this production. Crowder student and newcomer Alicia Tucker will make her stage debut as Shelby.
The women of “Steel Magnolias” are close and it shows in the snappy dialog. Higdon and O’Banion say they enjoy the banter as jokes pass between characters.
“It’s funny and it’s sad,” Fethers said. “I think it’s a great combination of both.”
“Steel Magnolias” will run Thursday and Friday with two 7:30 p.m. performances. Saturday there will be a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. performance. All performances will be at the Elsie Plaster Auditorium on Crowder’s campus.
General admission tickets are $6 at the door.
