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Celebrated Southern classic of family and friendship, this is the story of a group of strong and beautiful women who cluster around Truvy’s Beauty Parlor in a small Louisiana parish. The story centers on Shelby, who moves from wedding to childbirth to medical complications with a love of life and a willingness to face its possibilities bravely.
“I’d rather have 30 second of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.” It doesn’t matter if you know this quote from seeing the stage or screenplay, you know it if you know “Steel Magnolias.” Opening night of “Steel Magnolias” at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmer’s Branch was, luckily, hours of something special.
The theatre itself is small; unassuming is a great word that comes to mind when attempting to describe it. This translates to the sets; and the service as well obviously in different ways. Smiling faces handing out programs pre-show, the announcement that “…recording and flash photography ain’t allowed” (I’m still wondering if that was meant to be thematic; the themed food at the closing reception makes me think yes.), and the extremely young man who led me to my seat, and who I later overheard what must have been a regular attendee recognizing as an actor from some other Firehouse production all worked together to set quite a mood.
Of course the young boy wasn’t the only regular Firehouse actor. Dayna S. Fries, who did a great job with the role of Truvy and who was almost unrecognizable off stage and out of character, was an exception however; making her debut alongside Firehouse veteran actors including Suzy Dotson (a fiery and believable Clairee), Alexandra Cassens (an actor who brings a bright stage presence to the role of Shelby), Jenny Tucker (who reprised her role of M’Lynn in Friday night’s opening of Steel Magnolias), Lisaanne Haram (as an hilariously southern grouch; Ouiser), and DFW Critics Forum winner Taylor Donnelson (appearing on the Firehouse stage for the first time as a perfectly timid but spirited Anelle).
When you see a stage presentation of something like “Steel Magnolias,” something you identify with a particular cast and aesthetic, it can be hard to get stuck on what you expect to see. The cast of this show did a great job of pulling you into the story they acted out and the characters they portrayed. I give them all a couple of thumbs sky high for the ability to engage the audience and draw us into each moment of the shortened portion of the evolving lives of the group of southern women the play focuses on.
Having Louisiana roots makes me a tough critic when it comes to hearing actors put on Louisiana accents. However, not so tough that I can’t get over it and continue to watch something set in a place I doesn’t particularly sound like to me when it’s entertaining enough.
The dialogue made things authentic enough, and the delivery of that dialogue entertained; even when actors occasionally stumbled over lines (they got over those small trips like pros). Laughs came easy, and a future trip to the Firehouse Theatre is one I’d both make and recommend making; especially where director Jason Leyva is involved.
Now playing at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch Jan. 28 – Feb. 7
