Coming to Kensington’s Black Box in February, 2024!
Steel Magnolias is a beloved comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in a home beauty salon in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the “female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel”. Steel Magnolias will be directed by Rebekah Price.
Synopsis:
The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength-and love-which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Information:
- Auditions: January 23, 7-10p.
- Call Backs: January 27, 9a-12p
- Ages: 18+ (Must graduated from high school)
- What to Prepare for First Audition: A side from the play (available Jan. 1), fill out the Audition Form (available Jan. 1), and sign up for an audition time (beginning Jan. 1)
- Rehearsals: The first rehearsal will be on January 29. Generally rehearsals will be M-Th, 7-10p and Saturdays, 9a-5p. The amount of rehearsals you will have will depend on the role you are cast in.
- Performances: February 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, & 26 at 7:30p
Character Descriptions:
Truvy Jones: 40-year-old owner of a small town beauty shop. She knows everyone’s business and shares it with anyone who will listen. Southern Belle. She always has advice for you, and they often come in the form of country sayings.
M’Lynn Eatenton: M’Lynn: 50-year-old mother of Shelby. She is over-protective at times and finds the need to have a firm. grasp on the world at all times. She is a busy woman who worries too much for her age.
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto: (19-25) very shy twenty-year-old hair-dresser. She goes from a very soft-spoken person to a bible-loving Christian with her heart on her sleeve.
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: Roughly 25-year-old diabetic young lady. Prettiest girl in town, and loved by all. She has a weird relationship with her mother, and often rebels just for the sake of rebellion.
Clairee Belcher: 50-60-year-old widow of the former mayor of Chinquapin. She is wealthy and also knows everyone”s business. She is the sarcastic member of the group. She loves to laugh and poke fun at the little things that others cry over. She is very close with Ouiser.
Ouiser Bourdeaux: (pronounced Weezer) She is the same age as Clairee. She is a wealthy old fart. She is a loveably miserable lady, though. Her unique personality and sense of humor is a great relief in the serious scenes. She is very close to Clairee.