TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s Multicultural Cast Is Outstanding in Production of “Steel Magnolias”
by Ron Friedenthal
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s production of “Steel Magnolias” is a surprisingly gripping comic drama portrayal of this contemporary play set in a small town, focusing on a black owned hair salon in 1980’s Louisiana. Through the eyes of the characters, the audience sees how relationships between generations and cultures can be bridged by common themes of understanding in a non-confrontational setting, such as a hair salon. The close interaction and warmth between the characters makes you want to be a part of their community.
In the show, the same group of women has hair appointments at the same time every week. Despite having different backgrounds, they collectively develop and learn about how much they can relate to each other’s experiences.
As the play develops, the comedic interplay between the characters demonstrates how each of them lets their guard down to quip with each other. The salon is an oasis from the outside where different cultures and generations would not normally interact. However, each of the women feel so comfortable with each other that they would drop into the salon whenever they have things on their mind.
The show has an outstanding cast and it is quite well performed. Jasmine Milan Williams makes her TheatreWorks debut as Shelby, a sweet and stubborn young woman. Lisa Strum and Alexandra Lee also make their TheatreWorks debut; Strum as Truvy, the owner of the small town beauty salon while Lee is Annelle, a shy new arrival to town who works in Truvy’s salon.
Dawn L. Troupe and Marcia Pizzo each returns to TheatreWorks, with Troupe taking on the role of M’Lynn, Shelby’s overprotective mother, and Pizzo as Clairee, the know-it-all widow of the town’s former mayor. Nancy Carlin is also a veteran TheatreWorks performer, this time returning to the stage as the wealthy and curmudgeonly Ouiser.
The scenic design by Andrea Bechert is fabulous, and costume design by Dana Rebecca Woods is spot-on.
The story has been told many times before in other stage arenas, as well as on the big screen as a motion picture. So, the end may very well not be a surprise to those who have seen it before. Still, what makes this version so compelling is how the author brings out the characters’ humanity in the end in support of the grieving mother who had just lost her daughter.
The theme of “Steel Magnolias” is very thought provoking. Today’s world is polarized, and we could all take note of how much we all have in common. To this point TheatreWorks’ version of “Steel Magnolias” presents a new look at this cherished comic drama and is well worth seeing.
“Steel Magnolias” is currently performing through July 2 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (500 Castro Street) in Mountain View, CA. For tickets or more information please phone (877) 662-8978 or visit theatreworks.org.
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Photo caption: Shelby (Jasmine Milan Williams – center) shares photos with the women at the beauty parlor (L-R) including Annelle (Alexandra Lee), Clairee (Marcia Pizzo), Ouiser (Nancy Carlin), and Truvy (Lisa Strum) in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “Steel Magnolias,” currently performing through July 2 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo Credit: Kevin Berne)