Brookfield Theatre for the Arts' Steel Magnolias: Review

Photo by Stephen Cihanek

‘Steel Magnolias’ is one of my favorite filmed versions of a play. It featured an all-star cast of stars including Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine and Olivia Dukakis. I also appreciate the beautiful play written by Robert Harling about six very strong Southern women living and supporting each other in Chinquapin, Louisiana. That is why I am so thankful that I managed to catch one of the final performances of the production running at The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, a venue that never fails to put on a full-fledged production and this wonderfully directed version of ‘Steel Magnolias’ that featured an outstanding cast of ladies in Truvy’s hair salon is no exception.

In his especially beautiful director’s note, Tom Sheehan explains that he chose this piece because of the story: the setting of the slower pace of a small Southern town, the strongly drawn six characters, “a play about women so carefully and lovingly crafted...by a man.” I would add that Mr. Sheehan directed this amazing collection of actresses with the same care and love, bringing the audience this “touching, funny, honest story of love, friendship, of joy and sorrow, but mostly...of hope.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE

The last show of the season at BTFA is ‘‘Night Mother’ Nov. 6-21 directed by Michael Burnett and starring Meg Jones and Stacy-Lee Erickson Frome.