If you go
› What: “Steel Magnolias.”› Where: Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road.› When: 7:30 p.m. today-Friday, March 16-17; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19.› Admission: $10.› Website: www.ebctchatt.com.
It's been 30 years since Robert Harling wrote "Steel Magnolias," a play based on his family's real-life experiences while he grew up in Louisiana. But the comedy-drama about the bond between six women living in a small Southern town still resonates so strongly with women today that when East Brainerd Community Theatre announced auditions for its production, "enough women auditioned that I could have cast the show three times," says Stephanie Pearson.
Pearson is directing five performances of "Steel Magnolias," tonight through Sunday, March 16-19, in Christ United Methodist Church's multipurpose hall. East Brainerd Community Theatre is an outreach of the East Brainerd church but draws its cast members from residents across the area, she says, not solely church members.
"This really is an ensemble piece," Pearson says of the six strong actresses cast in the production. "Almost everybody is onstage the whole time, so they really have to support each other."
Cast as the friends are Lori Kelley as Truvy, Jessica Alder as Annelle, Katie Olsen as Shelby, Liana Thompson as M'Lynn, Beth Gist as Clairee and Cathy Baker as Ouiser.
Harling's play pokes some good-natured fun at Southern stereotypes and culture, but it celebrates the strong bond of friendship between these women whose friendship withstands the ups and downs of life. As the name implies, they are women who appear delicate as a magnolia blossom but have an inner strength that's tough as steel.
The play was made into the 1989 film that won two Golden Globe awards for Best Actress (Sally Field) and Best Supporting Actress (Julia Roberts.) Harling even had a line in the movie; he played the minister who marries Shelby.
Since a great deal of the play's action takes place in a beauty shop, hairstyles are key. Adrienne Brady is creating the hairdos for EBCT's show, and Kim Davis is handling costuming.
"For me, the beautiful part of the story is that it's about the relationships between these six, amazing, strong women, none of whom are perfect but who have a beautiful sense of friendship that is put to the test," says Pearson.
"Anybody who claims to be from the South will love it. It showcases Southern culture, all the funny things we laugh at ourselves about."
Advance purchase of tickets is advised since all shows in EBCT's last production sold out. Pearson says walk-ups will be sold at the door if any tickets remain.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.ebctchatt.com or christchurchchatt.org. Tickets also will be available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today, March 16, at the church.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.