Breakthrough Workshop Theatre presents a "Breakthrough Workshop" of
Steel Magnolias
Written by Robert Harling | Directed by Margot Nelson*
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.
This touching, classic comedy about a group of tight-knit women who are "as delicate as magnolias, but tough as steel" will be brought to life in BWT's unique way for one performance only, showing how sometimes you need dear friends, laughter and the world's finest beauty products in order to acheive "breakthroughs."
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Featuring Terri Bratcher*, Catherine Caldwell*, Carol Garan*, Makayla Hoppe, Heidi Maretz* and Nancy Wong
Assistant Directed by Tess Maretz*
* Returning Breakthrough Artist
