By Jennifer Mustoe
Steel Magnolias may be one of the most familiar “plays” I’ve never seen, as I think I may have seen the movie about a half-dozen times or more. So when I went to see last night’s performance at The Echo Theater in Provo, I was curious to see how such an expansive movie could be done on the cozy Echo stage and with only women in the cast, not any men. I was pleased with what I saw. (Of course I know that the play came first and was adapted for the screen, but, like many others, I saw the film first.)
The entire production takes place in Truvy’s Beauty Shoppe, and my hat is off to set designers Hannah Kroff and Matt Boulter. However, there were a couple of windows that should have full curtains, as we could see the actors walk by backstage and at one point the curtains weren’t completely shut and I could see costume changes from my seat. But it was an attractive set, with balance and interest. I’ve seen Boulter’s designs before and he is definitely one to watch. So very talented.
Costumes by Hailey Nebeker were a delight as well. Who doesn’t like the big shoulder pads, leggings and off the shoulder t-shirt look of the 80s? (Well, who doesn’t like that we don’t wear that stuff anymore? <Grin>)
Hair was a Big Issue in this show, as there is a lot that goes on in the Beauty Shoppe. They discuss hair, they do hair, they all wear their hair in various 80s styles. Truvy especially has the curly perm that is as poofy as it can get. This is truly BIG HAIR. Kudos for the hair by Kat Webb. However, Webb’s make-up was slightly lacking. Truvy looked spectacularly trashy with blue eyeshadow, lots of it. But the other actresses for the most part were too young for their parts, and make-up, though difficult in such an intimate space, would have given us a better suspension of disbelief, as would more gray in M’Lynn’s hair.
However, because the actresses were all too young for the parts was not noticeable in performance because each woman had superior acting chops to make Steel Magnolias work effectively and endearingly.
As I’ve said, unlike the movie, that had men in the cast, the play Steel Magnolias is only women. Raquel Williams, who plays Annelle, has a sincere acting style that made us like her Born Again Christian beliefs and her initial vulnerability as she is accepted into the women’s group that gathers at the beauty shop. Actually the men are “present” by reference, and are some of the funniest characters, especially as their wives/girlfriends/mothers discuss them.
Nicole Reed’s Shelby was particularly affecting and her scenes where she weeps brought me (and my husband) to tears, as well. Her sometimes bitter arguments with her mother, M’Lynn, played by Karli Hall, were amazing. Both women showed the love, the passion and the sometimes brutal issues they struggled with with such professionalism and detail, their’s were some of the strongest moments in the show. When Hall loses it after the death of her daughter (which I realize is something of a spoiler alert, but I figure most people have seen the movie–sorry if you haven’t) I almost lost it myself. So sincere and passionate.
Susan Phelan plays Ouiser (Weezah) with grit, humor and finesse. I admit, I liked the fleshing out of this character that was written into the movie. We never get to see Ouiser in the play flirting with her sweetheart and that is one of my favorite parts of the movie. However, Phelan is a wonderful foil in the show, and does her part well.
Mary Garlitz plays the aging socialite Clairee. She has one of the funniest characters as she and Ouiser have a love/hate relationship that is hilarious to watch. I love Garlitz’s portrayal of a woman who refuses to age into death without a fight. She says she’s getting old in one scene, then becomes a color commentator at the radio station she bought in the next scene. We love Clairee and Garlitz makes her all the more loveable.
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Truvy, played magnificently by Rosanna Weeks Ungerman, was the glittering star of the show. My husband who accompanied me said, “I liked her better than Dolly Parton in that role and you can quote me on that.” There is much good in this show, but Ungerman alone would be reason enough to go. I was immediately drawn to her, and found myself looking carefully to find a flaw or mistake in her performance. There was none.
There are a few other issues I need to point out in the show that were less than perfect. One is the venue. The Echo is sandwiched between two music venues and had lots of music playing during the performance that seeped into the space. There was 80s music going on in the background for most of the show, but it didn’t completely block out the hard rockin’ sounds from both sides. It is somewhat distracting when the actors onstage are all crying and there are bass tones pounding all around.
Also, the tech crew was distracting and rather slow. They were dressed in regular street clothes, instead of black or costumes relating to the show, which can be fun and silly. As an audience, we sat in the dark for several minutes between some scenes and it didn’t seem that there was much to move around. Techies would come out empty-handed, pick something up, leave, then come back in holding something. If they can coordinate to spend less time onstage with audience members in the dark, that would be helpful.
That being said, these are ticky little issues. The Echo’s Steel Magnolias is well worth your time. Bring all your friends, some hankies, and sit back and drink in the Mint Julep Southern sweetness of the play.
Perhaps the reason the audience was so small was due to the fact that so many people went to Man of Steel. Too bad, they missed the better work.Luckily everyone still has a chance to this marvelous production as the it runs through July 6th.
Steel Magnolias
The Echo Theater, 145 N University Ave, Provo
Runs from June 13-July 6 Mon, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for general public. Thursday $8 student tickets.
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