“Steel Magnolias” bloom at the Jacksonville Theatre Guild

“Steel Magnolias” bloom at the Jacksonville Theatre Guild

The Jacksonville Theatre Guild is pleased to ring in 2014 by bringing you “Steel Magnolias” written by Robert Harling.  Set in a 1980’s Louisiana beauty shop, the play focuses on a bond among a group of women surrounding the family experience with the death of playwright’s sister, Susan Harling Robinson in 1985 and explores the complexities of life, love and loss.

These characters that most everyone has come to know and love are brought to life on the JTG stage by a very talented and dynamic cast.  And they show us all that life is not always easy and is never predictable.  Directed by Sean VanAusdall-Rose, the lives and loves of six Louisiana women will be brought to life by veteran actresses Dorothy Hutchinson-Gross, Meredith Durall, Kim Shafer, Lynette Cervi, Becky Lawson, and Tammy Guthrie.

Set in the carport beauty shop of Truvy (Hutchinson-Gross), the dynamics of female relationships – with each other and the challenges in their lives – are examined. The show opens on the day of Shelby’s (Cervi) wedding into a “good old Southern family.” The show follows the women through the next three years, and focuses on Shelby’s medical problems, her risky decision to have a child, her relationship with her mother, M’Lynn (Lawson), and how friends – including a wealthy widow named Clairee (Shafer), an impressionable new-to-town shop assistant Annelle (Durall), and neighborhood curmudgeon Ouiser (Guthrie) – can help us uncover the steeliness and strength in even the most delicate of us.

The cast of the show says that they have been very humbled by the opportunity to bring these characters to life. Becky Lawson, herself the true Southern belle of the cast, says: “The cast of Steel Magnolias is a dream ensemble. Each actress is experienced on the stage and brings her own unique qualities to this show. Furthermore, each actress is very well suited for her individual part. Audience members will laugh and cry and leave having enjoyed a telling of this beautiful story of six southern women who support each other in the good times and in the midst of tragedy.”

The show opens Friday, January 10 on the Jacksonville Theatre Guild Studio Stage located at 210 W. College Ave. Remaining performances are January 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and January 12 and 19 at 2:00 p.m.

As a thank-you to our patrons for continued support of the Jacksonville Theatre Guild, we have lowered ticket prices for this show and the remainder of this season.  Adult tickets are $10.00 and children are $5.00.  Please call the office at 245-1402 to reserve your tickets for “Steel Magnolias”.  It proves that most anything in life can be managed with some laughter through tears and a lot of hairspray.

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