By DANIEL SHOCK
A Seat on the Aisle
Carmel Community Players opens its 2024-2025 season with a charming production of Steel Magnolias. The play was written by Robert Harling, inspired by the loss of his sister to Type 1 diabetes in 1985.
In 1989, the play was adapted into the beloved film with an all-star cast including Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, and Dolly Parton. I vividly remember seeing the film at the beginning of my first semester at Indiana University and being moved to tears by the story of deep love and friendship between these six women. My mother had a liver transplant just a year and a half prior to the film’s release, and the loss depicted in the story affected me in a very personal way. Those memories came flooding back last night as I sat in the theatre and watched a talented cast bring these beloved characters to life in front of me.
The play opens – and is set entirely – in the beauty shop owned by Truvy Jones. Truvy is having her hair done by her timid new employee, Annelle (Phoebe Aldridge).
One by one, we are introduced to the rest of the core group of friends: Clairee, a wealthy widow with a wicked sense of humor; Shelby, a young woman getting ready for her wedding; M’Lynn, her exasperated mother; and Ouiser, a curmudgeonly woman set in her ways and perpetually grumpy.
Truvy, played by Casey Clouser, with Emily Haus as Shelby. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
The story takes us through about three years in the lives of these dear friends as they come in to get their hair or nails done, gossip, and share themselves through laughter and many tears.
The heart of the story is the mother-daughter relationship, portrayed brilliantly by Tanya Haas and Emily Haus as M’Lynn and Shelby, respectively. Their bond feels real and believable as they drive each other crazy but continue to love one another through life’s challenges. Casey Clouser channels the good-humored charm of Dolly Parton well in her role as Truvy, the beauty shop owner.
Susan Boilek Smith’s portrayal of Clairee is frequently hysterical, making her the type of friend everyone needs. When Gabrielle Patterson takes the stage as Ouiser, she injects an energy and life into the show that is sure to make her an audience favorite.
Director Elizabeth Ruddell has assembled a wonderful cast and crew to produce this delicious dish of theatrical comfort food. The set, designed by Charlie Hanover and Dave Muse, works well for the story. The sound design by Lori Raffel is frequently funny and perfectly suited to the show.
Steel Magnolias is a show so authentically written that, when it’s as well-cast as this production, everyone can see a bit of someone familiar in it. I highly recommend Carmel Community Players’ opening show of the season.
Steel Magnolias, presented by Carmel Community Players, runs through Oct. 13 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Reservation and show information can be found at carmelplayers.org.
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