By Marilyn Jozwik
“Steel Magnolias” is the epitome of a chick play. After all, it’s set in a beauty salon and no place is more sacred to women than a beauty salon. That’s where secrets are shared, feelings are vented and advice freely given. Men are raked over the coals as women assume their place at the top of the gender heap and stick together through good and bad times.
Lake Country Playhouse has beautifully recreated Miss Truvy’s Beauty Spot in a fictional small town in the Deep South, where Truvy (Stephanie Demyun Smith) and her new hire Annelle (Dana Marklund) work their magic on bride-to-be Shelby (Allison Chicorel) and her mom, M’Lynn (Rebecca Richards), as well as feuding friends Clairee (Linda Alexander) and Ouiser (Cynthia Coulthurst).
The play, by Robert Harling, is based on the writer’s sister, who received a family member’s kidney just as happens in “Steel Magnolias.” The play also has special meaning for this show’s director, Sharon Jahneke, who donated a kidney to her daughter. Both were present at the performance.
“Steel Magnolias” opens on a Saturday morning (all four scenes are Saturday mornings) with Shelby preparing for her wedding along with her mother, M’Lynn. Though suffering from a chronic illness, Shelby is fiercely independent and resentful of her mother’s constant admonishments. “I never worry because I know you worry for both of us,” Shelby tells her mom.
Clairee, whose husband, the town’s mayor, has recently died, stops in and shares recipes, wisdom and barbs, especially with Ouiser, the town grouch whose idea of a Christmas decoration is a “Keep Off the Grass” sign.
Annelle, new to town, is no match for this group in trying to keep her bad marriage and dire circumstances a secret. In no time, the others have squeezed out her story and taken her under their collective wing, where her craftiness shines (especially in some outrageous holiday outfits) and she finds herself on a satisfying spiritual journey.
The action moves to the Christmas season several months later and some surprising news from Shelby. In Act II, we see just how close this bunch has become when tragedy strikes.
Ouiser (Cynthia Coulthurst) gets an earful from Clairee (Linda Alexander) in a scene from Lake Country Playhouse’s “Steel Magnolias.
If you’ve seen the movie, it’s hard not to imagine Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah in the roles. Yet, this group has created some wonderful characters that will soon make you forgot the flick with some fine comic performances. I immediately was drawn into Demyun Smith’s gregarious, jolly, likable Truvy. With a convincing Southern drawl and glass half-full attitude, Demyun Smith makes Truvy the hairdresser – and friend – we wish we all had.
Chicorel is the perfect Shelby. With her toolbox of performing skills, Chicorel gives Shelby a range of emotions and good comic timing – moody and quarrelsome with her mom, perky and chatty with salon mates, sensitive and thoughtful as she talks about her future. The tension is palpable between Shelby and her mom, expertly crafted by Richards, who delivers a moving monologue as she deals with her grief. But even in the midst of the serious moments, Clairee and Ouiser find a way to turn the mood into a charming, light-hearted scene.
Coulthurst’s Ouiser has a big personality and dominates the space she’s in with snappy one-liners. Alexander handles the town grande dame’s wit and sarcasm nicely, though I would have liked to have seen her be a bit more assertive and animated in her role, especially in her scenes with Ouiser
Marklund is well-cast as the young Annelle who comes to town with a boatload of baggage. Her Annelle is eager to please and anxious to find a supportive family of friends in the salon.
The Thursday night predominantly female audience found lots to laugh at in the show with its fine slate of comic performances.
Some lighting and sound effect mishaps and long set changes made for some awkward moments and seemed to throw timing off a smidge for this cast. Nonetheless, this cast does a fine job creating comedy and poignancy with this timeless tale of friendship.
If you go
Who: Lake Country Playhouse
What: “Steel Magnolias”
When: Through May 22
Where: 221 E. Capitol Drive, Hartland
Info/tickets: www.lakecountryplayhousewi.org