Steel Magnolias, a production of The Imperial Dinner Theatre
Mary Rapert of Edward Jones Investments will present Steel
Magnolias, a production of The Imperial Dinner Theatre in
Pocahontas. The show will run weekends from January 9 to the 31.
Reservations are available by calling 870-892-0030. The play has
been described as a gentle comedy and drama, but in director Kelly
Grooms’ production, the humor's much more than gentle and the drama
is Grooms-style of powerful.
The show sports a script that will pull tears from the most cynical
eyes, as the main characters -- a mother and her courageous
daughter -- cope with illness, marriage, childbirth, and early
death. Its basic idea is that under the beauty-parlor magnolia
facade all these women need to be made of steel in order to survive.
The action takes place in Truvy's Beauty Parlor in a small parish
in 1980’s Louisiana. Steel Magnolias is the story of a close-knit
circle of friends whose lives come together there. Truvy (Atalaya
Rollings) has just hired a new beautician with a mysterious past,
Annelle Depuy (Rose Harness), who may or may not be married because
her marriage may or may not be legal. Anelle is thrust onto the
beauty scene on a busy Saturday as M'Lynn (Andee Evers) and Shelby
Eatenton (Beverly Grounds) come to Truvy's to get their hair done
for Shelby’s wedding. The sour-tempered Ouiser Boudreaux (Carol
Belford-Lewallen) shows up and entertains the assemblage with her
barbs. It seems that the only one of the group who truly
understands everyone is Clairee (Lisa Girard) who is recently
widowed and looking for diversion and a new place in life.
But the set-up won't prepare you for the strengths of this
production. The tight, sharp focus of the play is the fact that
all of the characters engage the audience with concerns that
everyone can relate to through laughter and through tears.
Shelby’s desire for a baby despite her frail health, M’Lynn’s
desire to control, everyone’s struggle to maintain their
relationships at home and finally, self-sacrifice born of love.
Technical manager is Carilyn Rouyer, with set design by Kelly
Grooms and set construction and artistry by Al and Donna Dixon.
John Harvey will serve as stage manager.
Dates of performance are: January 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29,
30, 31. The Imperial Dinner Theatre is located at 1401 Hwy. 304
East in Pocahontas and requires reservations that can be made by
calling 870-892-0030. On Fridays and Saturdays dinner is served at
6:30 with showtime at 7:30. Sunday matinee performances dinner is
served at 1:00 with showtime at 2:00. Dinner theatre ticket prices
are $21.95 for general public and $19.95 for students, and include
dinner, dessert, beverage and the show. Show only tickets are
$12.00 for the general public and $10.00 students. There are
special discounts for groups of 20 or more. Private Command
performances on your choice of date are available for groups of 50
or more.
