‘Steel Magnolias’ debuts tonight; auditions this weekend for October comedy

CASPER, Wyo. — As Stage III Community Theatre opens its 2023–24 season with “Steel Magnolias” tonight, the theatre is also preparing for its next production with auditions for “The Odd Couple” Sept. 2–3.

A comedy–drama set in northwestern Louisiana, “Steel Magnolias” tells a poignant story through the powerful portrait of strong female friendships. The play — concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor — is alternately hilarious and touching.
Stage III Community Theatre is located at 900 N. Center St. in downtown Casper. The lobby for each evening play Sept. 1–2, 8–9 and 15–16 opens at 6:30, while seating is at 7 and the show starts at 7:30. Matinees Sept. 10 and 17 are 2–4 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance online or buy them at the door. All tickets are general seating.
People are invited to arrive early on Friday, Sept. 1 to enjoy southern cooking from J & D’s Cajun Kitchen served outside on the theater-side street from 5 to 7 p.m.

Audition for next play this weekend
Auditions for “The Odd Couple” are Saturday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Neil Simon’s classic comedy is about two suddenly single pals — a sloppy sportswriter and a fastidious news writer — who strain their friendship by becoming roommates and unconsciously repeating the same mistakes they made in the marriages they just left.
Mary McPherson will direct “The Odd Couple” for Stage III. Male acting parts, including main characters Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, total five. There are two female parts.