Loose Leaf Notes

I had forgotten how much humor was mixed in with the drama of Steel Magnolias. The above photo depicts the opening scene of the play performed by the New River Theatre Guild at the June Bug Center last night.

At first I wasn’t sure who was under that head of wild hair. It turned out to be my Floyd friend Valerie Moran in the touchstone role that Dolly Parton made famous as Truvy Jones, owner of a Louisiana beauty parlor where the film was primarily set and the play revisited in each Act.

My other friend Emily Gruver played the central character of Shelby Eatent-Lathcerie, who was played by Julia Roberts in the film. As told in the film, which I saw in 1989 with a group of women friends, the play starts with Shelby getting her hair done for her wedding.

As the drama unfolds we learn that Shelby’s health is comprised by diabetes. She bickers with her mother M’lynn Eatenton, played by Sally Fields in the film and by Charisse Skinner in this local production. Shelby has a diabetic seizure in the salon. M’lynn is frustrated by some of Shelby’s choices, especially the one were Shelby gets pregnant and has a baby after the doctor told her how much a health risk that would be.

The casting was impeccable. It was rounded out by Resa Mattson, whose portrayal of the awkwardly innocent Annelle Dupuy-Desoto was a spot-on version of Daryl Hannah, who played her in the film. Although, I later learned that Resa (seen above in a Christmas scene at the salon) hadn’t seen the film.

Theda McCutchen (left) played Claire Belcher with a dry wit flair in the role that was originally played by Oliva Dukakis, and Caroline Lefebvre (center) played the grouchy Ousier Bourdreax with some powerful punchlines  and a talent for physical comedy. Shirley MacLaine played Ousier in the movie.

Everyone had great lines that were delivered with a punch that also showed the women’s unconditional love and support for each other.  The play was sprinkled with small town themes and some beauty parlor gossip.  The costumes alone were worth the price of admission.

The story spanned a few years and ended with an emotional conclusion that left some in the audience with tears in their eyes. I was so enthralled at that point that I missed any final scene photo ops.

I’m forever grateful for our access to live theater in Floyd and for the people that make it happen. There is still time to see this play today (Saturday July 20) at 2 pm and 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. There are shows the following weekend at the Pulaski Community Youth Center. Check out the June Bug Facebook page for details.