Main Street Players present Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is a play by American writer, Robert Harling. This comedy-drama is about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana and was an instant hit when it first premiered in 1987. It was based on a true story and was written in just ten days. “The events that inspired it were so powerful that, after I found the story arena, it just poured out into my typewriter in a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness,” Harling told Garden & Gun in 2013 about the lightning-fast writing process. “I had no idea what I’d written. I asked the first person I gave it to if it even looked like a play. I wasn’t really sure. All I knew was that I felt it portrayed my sister’s life and spirit accurately, and that was enough for me.” 

 The title suggests that the “female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.” Marian Sorensen, director, feels like she has assembled a dynamic cast and is very excited about this production. Two of the roles are played by newcomers Kim Cooper (Truvy) and Kelsey Knight (Annelle). The rest of the roles are filled by MSP regulars:  Elise Wright (Shelby), Carla Cloud (M’lynn), Jill Coleman (Clairee) and Nancy Gresham (Ousier).

Main Street’s resident designer BJ Hughes created the set, with assistance from master carpenter Frank Dansby. Norma Richardson provides sound and costume design, with lighting design and production by Nate Barnes. Keith Potter serves as stage manager and audio tech for the production and is assisted by Karen Stanford and Barbara Herkert.