[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre’s Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Shaheen Vaaz, and running December 1 – 10.
If you have never had the chance to see the original play version of one of the most iconic 80’s movies, Steel Magnolias, then you are in for a real treat…
The wonderful Pierce College campus houses within it a couple of theatres, the smaller and more intimate of the two, the Dow Arena Theatre, hosts their latest production and it fits the space perfectly. Steel Magnolias is a very funny and deeply moving story. We all know the film, of course, but the play differs from it in several ways. There are no men for example and the entire action takes place inside the beauty parlour and revolves around the core female roles. This gives the characters full reign to be their glorious and hilarious selves and brings incredible poignancy to this most tear-jerking of stories.
The play centers on a group of women who live in a small town in Louisiana. They often meet in the parlour to gossip, or seek solace in one another’s company and have grown close over the years. There is a mother and daughter among them and the daughter, Shelby, is grown now but is delicate. Her diabetes is severe and always a concern for those who love her. But she has a strong spirit and when she marries and gets pregnant, against the advice of her doctor and the wishes of her mother, she is determined to not just survive it, but thrive.
This is the first time I have seen the play version of this story. The film I have seen many times of course, the performances being legendary. But as a play I found the story even more compelling and, with actors as wonderful as these, it is hardly surprising. Each of them turn in performances that would rival any and they have created the vitally important bond between them with apparent effortlessness. They each shine in their roles and as the story develops we fall more and more in love with them all.
This is a wonderful production of a heartbreaking play. The set is also absolutely marvelous. You really do feel as if you are sitting together in a beauty parlour in a small town in Louisiana and the attention to every detail be it costume or makeup or, of course, hair… is thoughtful and purposeful and utterly brilliant!
I loved LAPAC Theatre’s Steel Magnolias. I highly recommend it and always look forward to my visits to the theatre in the sky! Bravo!!!The Team
The Team
LAPC Theatre’s production is directed by Shaheen Vaaz. The cast features Meagan Truxel as Truvy, Veronica Nix as Clairee, Laura Crane as Annelle, Donna Accardo as Ouiser, Jasmine Curry as M’lynn and Emelysse Paez as Shelby. Understudies are Annjeanette Harville, Amelia Miller and Alany Soils-Coleman.
The production features scenic design by Frederica Nascimento, costume design by Eileen Gizienski and sound design by DJ Medina. Danni Rabbani is the stage manager.
When:
December 1 – December 10
Where:
Peirce College
6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367