Photo by John F. Russell
The women of "Steel Magnolias" look out a door with concern during a scene from the Steamboat Mountain Theater production. Cast members include Truvy ( Eileen Jones), Annelle (Michelle Hess) M'Lynn (Patty Zimmer), Clairee ( Lynda Allen), Ouiser (Leslee Gooch) and Shelby (Chrissie Hodges).
Southern belles
'Steel Magnolias' will be in full bloom at Mountain Theater
Friday, June 29, 2007
Past Event
"Steel Magnolias" performance
- Thursday, July 5, 2007, 7 p.m.
- Steamboat Mountain Theater, Steamboat Springs
- All ages / $10 - $15
Steamboat Springs — Sweet tea, big hair and plenty of y'alls : is it tourist season already?
Southerners haven't invaded our ski resort, but they will cluster this week at Steamboat Mountain Theater. Starting Thursday, "Steel Magnolias" will be in full bloom.
"It's about the relationships between women and how no matter where we come from, all women have a female connection," said Patty Zimmer, who plays the savvy southern businesswoman M'Lynn.
Steel Magnolias, originally an off-Broadway play and later a movie, centers in Truvy's Beauty Shop in Louisiana. Discussing life's trials and tribulations, all the while managing to keep a perfectly manicured hand, six southern women find underlying strength in their friendships.
"Even though much of the dialogue centers around babies and shoes," director Mike Brumbaugh said, "this is ultimately a show about friendship in the face of adversity, love, relationships and living life to the fullest."
Three of the six women starring in Steel Magnolias grew up in the South, making the switch from mountain women to Southern belles a little less difficult.
"I tried to shed the Southern image when I moved to Steamboat," said Chrissie Hodges, who plays the debutante Shelby. "It's been hard having to sink back into that same stereotype."
And although Steamboat locals might not know much about grits or the general direction of "yonder thataway," Steel Magnolias is more than a witty comedy starring our southern visitors.
"This play is really about a small town, how everyone knows everything," Hodges said. "It's about the support you feel in a small community, having others back you up."
Steel Magnolias might even have a Steamboat audience rooting for our southern friends.
"Within these crazy southerners, there's such dynamic and relatable characters," Hodges said. "It's women appreciating who we are and what we have to offer."
Comments
Michael Brumbaugh 5 years, 10 months ago
As the Director of this show, I wanted to take a moment and thank Erin for the nice article and John for the pictures! It's awesome that the Pilot is active in supporting our local performing arts.
Because of space limitations in the article above, I have included my comments about the show below. It's a G-rated show, I'd say, but probably not suitable for young children (a lot of talking). And, also not too clear in the article, this play can relate to many men as well.
DIRECTOR'S THOUGHTS: How does a play, set in the 80's in the deep south in a beauty parlor about a group of woman, relate to a Steamboat audience? First, there is a significant population of females in this purportedly testosterone-laden valley, many of whom frequent the local styling establishments (over 30 of them!), and many of whom find those places to be a "sanctuary" away from the menfolk. Second, even though much of the dialogue centers around babies, weddings, recipes, and shoes, this is ultimately a show about friendship in the face of adversity, small towns, love relationships, and living life to its fullest. Subjects even men can relate to on some level. Third, we have an amazing array of talented female actors in this town, and there are not many plays out there which demonstrate the positive bonds that can form between women, younger and older. Lastly, I believe it's always good to "expose" ourselves to how other people live, and hopefully in the process, learn that under our skins and coiffed hair, we are all basically wanting the same things. So, bless your hearts, all y'all sit back and enjoy what we're fixin' to show ya.
THANKS!!
Matthew Stoddard 5 years, 10 months ago
Mike- Enjoy the good write-ups while you can. Bottom Hiccups is coming back!!!
Michael Brumbaugh 5 years, 10 months ago
Thanks for the thoughts, Matt. Yes, so I've heard...one can always hope...
Requires free registration
Posting comments requires a free account and verification.
Or login with:
OpenID