Steel Magnolias: Magnolias blossom in a fine production
Photograph by Maria Vartanova
One of the big hits of the 1980s, both on stage and on the silver screen, it is little wonder that Ottawa Little Theatre chose Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias to represent this decade in its 100th season.
Written in part in memory of the playwright’s sister, who died from complications related to her diabetes, the well-structured drama maintains a fine balance between comedy and tragedy, dipping its toe into melodrama in only one scene.
Steel Magnolias is a fine snapshot of small-town life. It is also a studio portrait of the bond of friendship. An ode to the camaraderie among the six women who are the Steel Magnolias of the title, the setting of Truvy’s home-based beauty salon in small-town Louisiana is a perfect place to share confidences, gossip and support each other through good times and bad.
The women that Harling has drawn so clearly — he has said they are based firmly on people and relationships he knew in his hometown — spring to life convincingly in the OLT production as presented by the fine ensemble cast directed by Tom Taylor.
Each of the women is entirely believable through the roller coaster ride of high and low points in her own life and the experiences she shares as part of the group’s lives.
As salon owner Truvy, Suzanne Castanza delivers a warm mother hen, more than a little frustrated with her couch potato husband and under-achieving sons. Her new assistant Annelle (Kirby Naftel) grows from nervous newcomer through temporary good-time girl to born-again Christian.
Meanwhile, Shelby (Chandel Gambles) the bride at the core of a drama centred on her life-threatening condition and her prickly relationship with her mother, M’Lynn (Linda Webster) prepares to embark on the next stage of her life. Both Webster’s anxious mother and Gambles’ straining to throw off the restrictions of her ill health have the ring of truth.
The older generation, represented by the former mayor’s wife, Clairee, (Maureen Quinn McGovern is clearly having a ball in this role) and the curmudgeon with a soft centre, Ouiser (a subtle and beautifully textured performance by Charlotte Stewart) through their own prickly, but close relationship bring another layer of humour and heart to the circle.
Accurate period costuming, together with a workable set and effective sound and lighting complete the picture in this highly entertaining production.
Standing ovations are often given too freely, but the rousing and sustained applause as the enthusiastic crowd rose on opening night was well deserved for this terrific production.
The Ottawa Little Theatre production of Steel Magnolias continues to June 15.
Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harding
Ottawa Little Theatre
Director: Tom Taylor
Set: Andrew Hamlin
Sound: Mike Hefferman
Lighting: Brian Cano
Costumes: Peggy Laverty
Cast:
Truvy…………………………………..Suzanne Castanza
Annelle…………………………………Kirby Naftel
Clairee…………………………………Maureen Quinn McGovern
Shelby…………………………………Chandel Gambles
M’Lynn………………………………..Linda Webster
Ouiser…………………………………Charlotte Stewart