Steel Magnolias at the Majestic, a Place I’d love to Hang Out
The Women in This Salon Made Us All Feel Better
Last night’s production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ at the Majestic Theater was a fun time spent with fun people. These are the kinds of women I’d want to hang out with if I lived in Chinquapin, Louisiana. When mom M’Lynn has a crisis, there is only one place she wants to be, that’s right here in the Truvy Hair Salon, where this wonderful cadre of funny and supportive women are. No wonder. After the show, I loved all of ’em, especially the hilarious Clairee (Maconnia Chesser), who kept up the repertoire and exaggerated expressions to the crowd’s delight.
Miss Ouiser (Angela Dias) in her debut at Majestic did a great job with the part of the cantankerous, grumpy woman still being pursued by suitors. “I’ve been in a bad mood for forty years! Can things get worse? OF COURSE THEY CAN!”
The familiar face of Cate Damon (M’Lynn), in her 19th Majestic production, did her role proud. She
was the mom, facing difficult choices with her beloved sick daughter, Shelly (Raya Malcolm), in her first Majestic performance. M’Lynn is not crazy about the man who married Shelly, Jackson, whom she thinks is a good-for-nothing ne’er-do-well. When Shelly proudly announces she’s with child, M’Lynn is justifiably upset, since doctors said it was a big risk.
The play has some interesting characters, and one truly evolves as the plot moves ahead, Annelle (Kait Rankins). When we first meet her, she has nothing to say and lots of secrets to hide. After the generosity of Truvy and the camaraderie she finds working in the salon, her life improves, and we meet a woman at the end who is pregnant and confident. Rankins fills her role with zest and gets in some good lines.
Interestingly, in the movie version of this show, there are male actors playing characters like M’Lynn’s husband, Drum, Sammy, Annelle’s husband, and son-in-law Jackson, but no men graced this stage. We heard only the gunshots Drum kept firing to shoo away birds, but never saw him or any other men. This was in part because the playwright Robert Harling wanted it to show the solidarity and true friendships between the women in Truvy’s salon, and no scenes took place outside of there. Truvy (Elaine Hom) is a solid friend, encouraging M’Lynn when everything seems bleak. She’s a warm presence throughout the play.
As the story concludes, Annelle honors M’Lynn when she says she’ll name her unborn child after Shelly. No matter what the sex, she explains. It’s just that kind of a place, where life goes on, troubles and all, and all it’s faced with grace and good humor.
This sold-out show will appeal to many audiences. Go see this if you haven’t ever visited the cozy and intimate Majestic Theater on a weeknight. We had a light dinner at the Majestic too, there was tasty, simple fare, ham and cheese sandwiches, soup, and wine. A Perfect weeknight out!
Steel Magnolias, at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater, October 23 – November 30. Tickets are $35-$38 and can be purchased by phoning the box office at (413) 747-7797 or online at majestictheater.com