Playhouse on Park, West Hartford, CT
through Jan. 28, 2018
by Stuart Gamble
 |
| Photo by Curt Henderson |
Probably I’m one of the few people who has not seen the
entire 1989 film version of “Steel Magnolias” (I have seen PART of it though),
so Playhouse on Park’s current production of Robert Harling’s comic gem was a
totally new experience. This all-female show perfectly defines ensemble piece,
allowing each actress to display her comic, and dramatic skills.
Set in the fictional town of Chinquapin, Louisiana in the
1980’s, the audience first meets Truvy Jones (Jill Taylor Anthony), owner of
the hair salon where the play’s entire action takes place. Annelle Dupuy (Liza
Couser) is Truvy’s nervous new assistant. Frequent customer Clairee Belcher
(Dorothy Stanley) is Chinquapin’s former First Lady and high school football
aficionado. Soon-to-be bride Shelby Eatenton (Susan Slotoroff) and her
controlling mother M’Lynn (Jeannie Hines) are being coiffed on Shelby’s big
day. Last, and certainly not least, is Ousier Boudreaux (Peggy Cosgrave), the
most sharp-tongued of these Southern Belles.
The women in this production are all first-rate and full of
charm and elegance. The play’s focal-point is the mother/daughter conflict
between Shelby and M’Lynn. Susan Slotoroff’s Shelby is the play’s lifeline,
whose radiant smile and positive view of life shines brightly on all. Jeannie
Hines’ M’Lynn’s understated calm has its cathartic release in her moving monologue
in the final scene. Liza Couser’s pitiable Annelle achieves a fine balance between humor and pathos. Jill
Taylor Anthony is a warm, serene Earth Mother among the drama that blooms
around her. Peggy Cosgrave’s prickly, yet ultimately compassionate, Ousier spouts
some of the play’s funniest lines including, “I’ve been in a bad mood for forty
years!” Despite delivering some witty lines, actress Dorothy Stanley’s timing
is a bit off, causing the show’s pace to slow down ever so slightly.
Director Susan Haefner has created a bright and delightfully
funny show for all to enjoy. David Lewis’ scenic design highlights this warmth
and realism in the beauty salon through the use of period driers, hairspray
cans, and actual hair strewn over the stage. Kate Bunce’s colorful costumes add
to the ambience of the 80’s. The show’s Dialect Coach David Alan Stern merits
special attention for not only coaching these Steel Magnolias, but also the
film’s stars as well (his website www.LearnAccent.com is listed in the show’s
program).
