By Jason and Alisha Hagey
Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Steel Magnolias reminds us of the power in laughter, shared community, and a well-timed barb. The actresses don’t just tell the story. They live it with a truthfulness that is disarming and profoundly moving. They carry the story with dignity and an unshakable core. Together, they create a universe valuing women as strong, vulnerable, humorous, and, most importantly, exquisitely genuine.
Set within the cozy walls of Truvy’s beauty salon, Robert Harling’s (Playwright) play unfolds as a series of confessions and conversations between women in a small Louisiana town. The story begins with the preparations for Shelby’s wedding. We follow life through the seasons as the women gather in Truvy’s, with an equal combination of teasing and tenderness, where heartbreak and hairspray coexist, celebrating everyday moments.
Melissa Maxwell (Director) approaches Steel Magnolias confidently, letting the story breathe. She doesn’t exhaust the sentiment or lean too hard into the laughs. Instead, Maxwell enables each moment to land honestly. The relationships are real, the humor feels earned, and the shifts into more profound emotion arrive gently and without fanfare. There’s a natural rhythm to her direction. Maxwell knows when to pull back and when to lean in. The cast responds to that trust, thus providing a lived-in quality to their performances.
Each actress brings her rhythm. All of the characters have an unpretentious sense of honesty. Every scene has an accurate feel. The humor doesn’t come across as rehearsed. Instead, it moves easily, like the kind of back-and-forth that only happens between people who’ve known each other for years. And while the laughs land, the quiet, unspoken moments stay with you long after.
Alia Shakira (Truvy Jones) brings fondness and energy that immediately light the room. She plays Truvy with sharp timing and an easy assurance, hitting the laughs without ever pushing too hard. From her first entrance, you get the impression that this salon isn’t just her business, but her world. And everyone in it matters. Shakira finds the balance between humor and soul. She lets Truvy’s big personality shine. Also, there’s a sincere tenderness in how she moves through the story, always making space for the other women, always listening. When the tone shifts and the emotions start to deepen, she doesn’t exaggerate it. Shakira is the perfect Truvy.
Delivering a performance that grows steadily and beautifully, Valerie Martire (Annelle Dupuy Desoto) shines as she earns every moment. Martire doesn’t force anything. Starting soft-spoken and unsure, she brings the right amount of awkward charm. Throughout the play, Martire allows Annelle to change gradually, letting us experience each little step toward confidence. She gives us someone sincere, slightly offbeat, and entirely grounded.
Sarah Shippobotham (Clairee Belcher) is a smart, steady presence. Shippobotham’s timing is effortless. She lands each line with just the right amount of sharpness and affection. Her humor, however, is crisp and clever. Shippobotham shows us a sense of care behind the wit. There’s poise in her interpretation, and so much empathy. Shippobotham fills Clairee with grace, ease, and humanity.
From the start, Amara Webb (Shelby Eatenton Latcherie) shows us someone full of life. She’s funny and not afraid to speak her mind. But Webb lets us see the vulnerability just under the surface. Her scenes with M’Lynn are especially moving, showing the push and pull between a daughter’s independence and a mother’s love. Webb never overplays the emotion. Her performance is full of details that add to something beautiful and powerful.
Olivia D. Dawson (M’Lynn Eatenton) leaves a lasting mark in a role full of care, control, and compassion. With brilliance, Dawson keeps everything under the surface, but she has a subtle, powerful way of showing us that all her emotions are living there. Thus, when the feelings come, they come gradually and hit hard. Dawson knows how to use her voice (changing tone when it matters, holding still when words alone carry the weight), and you believe every bit of it.
Charging into every scene with energy and attitude to spare, Evelyn Carol Case (Ouiser Boudreaux) is unforgettable. Being the woman who has had it with everyone and isn’t afraid to say so, Case ensures we see the love behind the sarcasm. Case doesn’t just go for the laughs; she goes for the depths of Ouiser. She brings an edge and sympathy that’s both hilarious and familiar. She makes the role of Ouiser her own, and we love her for it.
Jo Winiarski (Set Design) once again demonstrates her expertise in scenic design. Every detail, from the textured siding to the slightly angled walls and drop ceiling, conveys a strong sense of time and location. Although the setting is an enclosed carport, it exudes warmth and welcome. The salon is adorned with color and personality, making it appear friendly and personal.
Lauren Roark (Costume Design) adds subtlety to costume design by avoiding clichés in favor of reality. Shelby’s clothing favors softer, more nuanced tones over bright pink, whereas Truvy’s pieces express her lively personality without bordering on caricature. Roark’s decisions demonstrate a deep understanding of these women’s daily lives, thus grounding the characters in fidelity.
Not calling attention to itself, which is essential for a production that thrives on verisimilitude, Jessica Greenberg‘s (Lighting Design) work is beautiful. You might not notice the design, but feel it in every scene. Greenberg’s creation is magnificent for its authenticity.
By the end of Steel Magnolias, you leave the theatre not just moved, but grateful. Grateful for the laughter. Grateful for the tears. And grateful for the kind of storytelling that reminds us of what it means to be seen, supported, and loved. Steel Magnolias is the show to see this season: tender, touching, and outrageously funny.
Utah Shakespeare Festival presents Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling
June 21 – October 4, 2025
35 S 300 W, Cedar City, UT 84720
Randall L. Jones Theatre
Tickets: $40 – $85
800-PLAYTIX or 866-962-9897
Ticket Office Hours:
Performance Days: 10 am-8 pm, with phone service ending at 7 pm
Non-performance Days: 10 am-5 pm, Monday through Saturday
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Utah Shakespeare Festival Steel Magnolias Site
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Child/Student Discount
Children ages six to eighteen, and students of any age older than six with a valid student ID or proof of student status, can receive a discount of $10 off any ticket. This is available online or through the Ticket Office.
Content Advisory
This play celebrates resilience, friendship, humor, and the love of great hairstyles, while also exploring heavier themes of grief and loss, medical conditions, and the loss of a child. It is suitable for all audiences.
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