Steel Magnolias
Art Buzz Theatrics and Florida Theatrical Events
By: Aaron Krause - Oct 12, 2024
In the script for his funny and moving 1980’s-set piece Steel Magnolias, playwright Robert Harling delivers clear instructions to directors and performers: “The women in this play are witty, intelligent, and above all, real characters. They in no way, shape, or form are meant to be portrayed as cartoons or caricatures.”
Doubtless, Harling would be proud of the cast comprising Art Buzz Theatrics’ and Florida Theatrical Events’ current co-production of Steel Magnolias in Southeast Florida. Indeed, cast members imbue their characters with heart, humor, and humanity. In fact, they are so likable that you don’t want to leave them when the roughly two-hour-and-15-minute show (including intermission) ends.
You have until Oct. 20 to experience this winning co-production in the intimate, tiny black box theater space at Empire Stage in Ft. Lauderdale.
As you probably know, the stars who shined in the 1989 film version of Harling’s play include Olympia Dukakis, Shirley McClaine, and Dolly Parton.
Closer to home, the local live co-production’s shining stars are Dalia Aleman, Beverly Blanchette, Elli Murray, Susanna Ninomiya, Elissa D. Soloman, and Alexandra Van Hasselt. We should also include production director Larry Buzzeo, Art Buzz Theatrics’ artistic director. He sensitively stages the show, injecting the right amount of humor and pathos into this co-production. Buzzeo also provides the warm, charming, and southern-accented voice for the radio news reports we hear during the action.
Significantly, the co-production’s cast members make the characters their own; they never settle for merely mimicking the movie stars’ portrayals.
At its core, Steel Magnolias is a comedy-drama about the power of close female friendships in happy and sad times. The action takes place during the 1980’s in fictional Chinquapin, Louisiana. You get the feeling that the town is small enough that most residents know each other – and each other’s business.
Harling based Chinquapin on Natchitoches, which is where the playwright grew up in Louisiana. He based the tale on the people he knew in his hometown, as well as the tragic loss of his sister, Susan Harling Robertson. Like the character of Shelby, Susan died from complications her Diabetes caused following the birth of her only child, Robert.
Steel Magnolias’ action takes place in a beauty salon where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. The business’s owner is outspoken, gossip-loving, but pleasant Truvy. When the play begins, she is about to hire Annelle as her eager but nervous new assistant fresh out of cosmetology school.
The women who frequent the business include the town’s rich curmudgeon, the often-bitter and sarcastic, but ultimately lovable Ousier. She quips, “I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for 40 years.”
The characters also include millionaire Clairee, the widow of a mayor and owner of the local radio station. She has a smart mouth, sweet tooth, and a playful personality.
M’Lynn is the loving but perhaps overprotective mother of Shelby (the prettiest girl in town). When the play starts, the younger woman, a pediatric nurse, is about to wed a “good ole’ boy.” Despite Shelby’s health issues (she’s a Type 1 Diabetic), and against doctors’ advice that pregnancy could further sicken, or even kill her, Shelby yearns to have children of her own.
Steel Magnolias is more of a character-driven piece than one with a fully formed plot. As a matter of fact, much of the first act features a string of irresistible, quotable one-liners and wisecracks that might bring to mind late playwright Neil Simon’s work.
During the first part of the play, the mood is laid back, serene, comical and joyful. To their credit, the performers nail this upbeat and peaceful aura. Truly, it provides a nice respite from 2024’s darkness and division.
However, the play moves toward tragedy in the second act. That is when the spunky Shelby gives birth, her kidneys weaken, and ultimately, she dies. But the women prove to be each other’s rocks. They love and support each other with humor, strength, and grace, and the play illustrates the power of human connection during good times and bad – something we all know about from the days of the pandemic. The women (the Steel Magnolias of the title) are always ready to offer a supportive hug, a reassuring pat on the shoulder, a mood-lightening quip, a loving hand squeeze or just a sympathetic ear. Steel Magnolias might take place decades ago, during the 80s, but the power of human connection and friendship is timely and timeless.
True, Steel Magnolias is a talky play with a noodle-thin plot set in a single setting and spanning more than 18 months. As a result, the piece can feel stagnant in lesser hands, even with the many memorable and humorous lines. But Buzzeo, whose pacing and staging are strong (he smartly, for instance, moves the actors around the stage, never allowing them to become merely “talking heads”), has assembled a talented cast of experienced performers. They are part of the South Florida live theater scene’s top-notch crop of versatile actors, and they deliver big time here. For instance, the performers listen to each other and don’t appear to anticipate lines or occurrences.
M’Lynn may seem like an emotionally strong woman on the outside, but a fragility exists within her. Fortunately, in an impressive performance, Aleman convincingly conveys the character’s strength but also vividly reveals M’Lynn’s vulnerability.
Perhaps Aleman’s strongest moment occurs after her daughter has died. When we first see her following Shelby’s death, Aleman’s M’Lynn seems to be taking her daughter’s death in stride. But as the women start talking about the late Shelby, a combination of anger and sadness overtakes M’Lynn. With clenched fists and her nearly shouting voice filled with raw anger and sadness, Aleman’s M’Lynn sounds like a broken woman on the verge of sobbing. Of course, this is one of the play’s most somber moments; with anger and sadness, M’Lynn notes that she was supposed to die before her daughter. Obviously, this is one of the most somber moments of the play. But Harling injects just the right amount of humor here while still respecting the seriousness of the situation.
Aleman also wisely portrays M’Lynn as a loving mother who feels the need to protect and advise her daughter. But, to her credit, the performer never allows M’Lynn to come across as a smothering parent.
As Shelby, Alexandra Van Hasselt nails her character’s youthful spunk, and the performer makes us keenly sense Shelby’s strong determination to give birth and fill her life with meaning. In addition, Van Hasselt conveys her character’s intense yearning for her mother’s approval. Also, Shelby’s diabetic attack is believable.
Van Hasselt and Aleman share strong chemistry, and that’s not surprising; this production marks the third time they have played mother and daughter on stage (a feature about this appears at https://www.floridatheateronstage.com/genera./mother-daughter-bond-familiar-to-actresses-in-steel-magnolias). They are credibly loving to each other, but also believably portray tension between them.
Blanchette lends Truvy charm and an infectiously easy-going and optimistic aura. The performer also radiates optimism and grace, making Truvy the kind of person with whom you wish to interact. While Truvy may enjoy gossip and knowing everyone’s business, the actor ensures her character doesn’t seem like an annoyingly nosy person.
Murray injects Ouiser with enough sarcasm and bitterness to suggest a curmudgeon whose life has been less than rosy. When Ousier introduces herself to Annelle, the former accusingly tells the town’s newcomer that she “must be the new girl” in town. But, to her credit, Ouiser never comes across as a total bitch. In fact, at times, Murray imparts an awkward but earnest charm.
Solomon also projects a wisecracking, but fun-loving demeanor as Clairee, who comes across as a thoroughly likable person.
The character who undergoes the biggest change is the town’s newcomer. When we first meet Susanna Ninomiya’s Annelle, she is tense, attentive, serious, and worried. You hear it in her voice and see it in her telling facial expressions and posture. Gradually, though, Ninomiya’s Annelle relaxes, gains confidence and even acts dreamy and cheerful. But when it comes to religion, you sense a devoutness in Ninomiya’s Annelle that is fervent without suggesting a proselytizing extremist.
Behind the scenes, Melanie Van Hasselt designed the set. It contains impressive detail and, with its flower-adorned furnishings and bright colors, appears inviting and tasteful. In addition, it’s always clear where we are, thanks to a sign in pink letters that clearly says “Truvy’s.” Fittingly, tissues are among the many items you will find within the set. You will probably need at least one tissue during or after this emotional production of this bittersweet play.
While you may wish for more period details, a rotary-style phone suggests that the show takes place decades ago.
Black and white items comprise the set, and the two contrasting colors are also present in Hasselt’s costumes. The darkness and light can symbolize life’s happy times and somber moments.
Speaking of costumes, the characters’ clothes sport bright colors befitting their upbeat personalities. Fittingly, the costumes are brighter in the upbeat first scene and largely black after Shelby dies.
Also, behind the scenes, Preston Bircher’s realistic, bright lighting does its job without calling too much attention to itself. The lighting is mostly bright, befitting the play’s upbeat mood. But it could be dimmer during the darker scenes.
David Hart’s sound design renders the actors’ voices clear and includes realistic sounding effects such as gunshots (they are part of the play’s humor; nobody gets injured or killed).
With likable characters, a funny and touching script, and relatable themes, Steel Magnolias has just about everything you’d want in a play. Life is “laden with happiness and tears” Fiddler on the Roof reminds us. That is also clear in Harling’s popular, crowd-pleasing play.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Art Buzz Theatrics’ and Florida Theatrical Events’ production of Steel Magnolias
WHEN: Through Oct. 20
WHERE: Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Ft. Lauderdale
TICKETS: $35. Go to www.empirestage.com.