Curtain Up Theater Review . . . by Camille Bounds: TheatreWorks’ “Steel Magnolias”

Four ladies in small Southern town get their hair done and learn about life. “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling takes us to a beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where ladies of the town meet to get their hair done, catch up on town gossip and bond over life’s problems.

It covers light and dark moments that TheatreWorks production caught in this one of their best offerings. The play goes from comedy to tragedy with delicate moves from director Elizabeth Carter

Well cast with Lisa Strum who plays Truvy’s owner of the beauty shop, with Alexandra Lee as confused Anneelle, Marcia Pizzo as the witty, sensitive Clairee, Jasmine Milan Williams, plays a young, charming and daring Shellby, Dawn L. Troupe as M’Lynn.

L’ynn, Shelby’s caring mom. with Nancy Cartin as wild, Ouiser keeps your attention.

This company places a high bar in acting for this dramatic group. There will be a lot of high reaching for future productions.

Scenic designer Andrea Bechert, lighting designer Steven B.Mannshardt and costume designer Dana Rebecca Woods bring the production to well-timed moments.

This is an excellent production with a creme de la creme cast and a story that can hold its own anywhere. If you enjoy extraordinarily entertaining theater that makes you think about the deep things in an ordinary life, “Steel Magnolias” should definitely be on your schedule.