The Players Theatre Company's 'Steel Magnolias': The Sacrifices We Make for Life

CONROE, TX -- I remember a time when I had a spinster aunt, actually two; who were hairdressers, and maintained a beauty salon in Houston much like what is shown in the play. And more than likely, we all know someone who struggles with diabetes. I’ve had aunts, uncles, and cousins who have struggled with it, even to the point of amputation and death, so it’s serious medical business, even when it is being monitored. The mid-1980’s play based on true events by Robert Harling, has The Players Theatre Company borrowing a tiny piece of Chinquapin, Louisiana, in their latest production of ‘Steel Magnolias.’ The theater did a wonderful job in bringing back to life Truvy’s beauty salon in the rear of her residence, just as my aunts Ramona and Tina operated, albeit with an addition; and true to fashion, I was rarely in the place, having the need to mow my aunts yard, which seemed the size of the Astrodome back in 1975, yet now doesn’t look so large. And neither was the $2.00 I got paid, which evens out to an even $11.05 in 2024 simoleons.

The stage play of Steel Magnolias is told from a woman's perspective, so no testosterone was needed on stage. Truvy’s house of beauty is the place to be when it comes to the small towns’ high-society ladies having their hair done. It’s a gathering place much like a men’s morning coffee group, but done with hair instead, and probably achieves twice as many jokes and witty remarks as the guys do. The play starts with Annelle (Christina Taylor Wood), a recent beauty school graduate, being hired by the shop owner Truvy (Bonnie Atkinson). Clairee (Terry Lynn Hale), the widow of the former mayor, arrives to get her hair done. The dialogue is precious, with Clairee noting the coffee tastes of last night’s hot dog water, which is why clumsy Annelle forgot to check the bottom of the pot. And that’s the tip of the iceberg, since there are so many funny moments that it’s impossible to note every quip.

All the while that is happening, gunshots can be heard nearby which are from the husband of M’Lynn (Cindy Siple), whose Drum, is trying to scare birds out of the Magnolia tree to save wedding guests from being soiled by the birds at the wedding of their daughter Shelby (Grace Shexnayder), who both arrive to get her hair done before her wedding. There is talk of weddings of the past, then Truvy and Clairee coax Shelby to reveal details of her relationship with her husband-to-be, Jackson. She does a little bit, then describes the wedding theme color as blush and bashful, and the bridesmaids, and the armadillo groom's cake.

Shelby’s appearance is one of being fit as a fiddle, and as the elder ladies converse amongst themselves, the tone shifts when the young woman suffers what amounts to a hypoglycemic attack, which happens when her blood sugar drops too low. And with all the excitement of the wedding, she fails to detect the symptoms. She could have resolved the issue quietly, but her purse is at the house, so some orange juice is quickly retrieved, and after some tense moments. M’Lynn is used to the situation, and without panic calmly handles the tension, having done it many times before since her daughter’s tween years.

When Shelby is able to regain her senses, she reveals that her doctor has advised her not to get pregnant because of her medical condition, which is serious. Jackson is understanding of the situation, but Shelby is unafraid, which worries M’Lynn with her independent streaks. And in the midst of the perceived sorrow, jokes are still told, and laughter is heard.

To counter the sad episode, somehow Harling’s script is able to make you laugh. Clairee is urged to buy the local radio station, then a requested search of M’Lynn’s purse reveals that she stole the gun from her husband, as the ladies wonder why there has been no shooting as of late. Then the derisive and bad-tempered Ouiser, neighbor to M’Lynn and Drum arrives, complaining that her magnolia blossoms are all gone. Her interest then shifts to the new hire, Annelle, and the status of her background. No money. No car. No place to live. Then boom! Another effort from Drum to relieve the birds from the tree perches as everyone rushes out of the shop.

The play is broken into two parts of each act, so there is a short pause for some minor set decoration. Darkness. As play resumes, Shelby is back in town for Christmas where she meets M’Lynn at Truvy’s darkened shop, due to a breaker box issue with the yuletide tree. The audience feels the tension as Shelby announces to her mother that she is pregnant, which upsets M’Lynn knowing her medical condition, and the consequences that a pregnancy entails. The lights return, the tree is lit. And soon spirits are lifted with stories of Christmas past. We find that Clairee is a radio station owner, and even Ouiser; who arrives grumpy, is inquisitive just a bit as she hears of an old admirer who is back in town for good. Then the pregnancy announcement is made by Shelby to the delight of everyone except M’Lynn, but Truvy encourages her to concentrate on the joy a new life of a child brings into the family.

We’ve all seen the memorable 1989 film, and understand the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. Steel Magnolias is a wonderful telling of a group of ladies who are as soft as magnolia blossoms but as rugged as steel. The story is about the author’s real-life sister Susan, who died from diabetes complications in 1985, and after writing a short story adapted it into a play. It’s a laughter through tears tale, a story offering of joy only to be handed heartbreak later, but still more joy and understanding that life goes on in the midst of sorrow.

Bonnie Atkinson’s Truvy was outstanding. So energetic and full of life, able to take a frown and turn it upside down. If she doesn’t know about you, she will soon be found out. Atkinson delighted the audience with her vivacious Truvy, and truly deserves a great round of applause for her triumphant return to the stage after many years. Terry Lynn Hale’s Clairee tickled me pink. I’ve only known her to be behind the scenes as a member of the Players, and it gave me joy to see her perform, yet a great sadness, that I have missed her previous performances, but then a great joy to hug her after such a wonderful showing. I loved her ability to draw laughter from the down times, and brighten the stage again. Bravo Madam. Bravo.

Cindy Siple’s M’Lynn seems to excel at the overprotective motherly role. And her performance was backed by her professional past. She played her busy character’s life with a passion for helping others, and a necessary part of a tight knit group that beats as one. Grace Schexnayder’s Shelby was superb, and perfectly cast. Grace brought life to Shelby, and everyone held their breaths in the audience during her combative hyperglycemic episode, which happens in the most severe cases. She was brave to take on the role, and I was thankful she mentioned the American Diabetes Association following the play’s end.

Peggy Sampson’s Ouiser blew me away. I love her voice, which is distinctive enough to be as serious as a Scarsdale mother, or as a sarcastic miserable southern lady in the midst of happiness; and as loveable and bringer of joy when countered with sorrow. With her delivery style, she was perfectly cast, and kudos to you Madam. Ravishing. And to round out the cast, we have Christina Taylor Wood’s Annelle, who is perfect at playing the young and innocent. She captures Annelle’s soft spoken demeanor of being a shy new arrival, growing to a Christ loving follower unafraid of her professing her faith, and becomes a member of the team. And if gone her presence would be missed. She wowed in ‘Butterflies are Free,’ and she wows again.

Director Roger Ormiston did a wonderful job in preparing the actors for their roles, down to even placing them in their correct positions following the play for pictures. I loved the set, which stuns the moment you enter the theater, and quite frankly was the best I’ve ever seen on a Conroe stage. My sincere congratulations go out to Set Designer Jamie Glass, and may his triumph and to those of the construction team, be a baseline for future productions. In fact I bow to the entire production team, who went above and beyond the call of duty on this one. I loved the play and highly recommend it. See you at the Owen Theatre!

Steel Magnolias runs through November 10th. playerstheatrecompany.com or 936-539-4090 for tickets.

American Diabetes Organization: diabetes.org or diabetes.org/stepouthouston on November 16th

Photos