PUHI — The curtain rises at 8 p.m. on Friday for the first of four weekend performances of “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling at the Island School Main Hall.
Saturday will have the production directed by Rebecca Hanson, the Island School theatre arts teacher, airing at 3 and 7 p.m. The final production is a matinee on Sunday at 3 p.m.
“I’m so excited that we can have full, live audiences again,” Hanson said. “Tickets are at the door, by donation, pay what you are able.”
“They (the cast) have such a strong energy as a group that makes them perfect for ‘Steel Magnolias,’” she said. “Just listening to these young women talk about their day makes me always feel like I’m already at Truvy’s when we haven’t even started running the rehearsal. It’s always upbeat, positive and supportive..”
Hanson gets support from Marty Schmidt, who handles the lighting and sound, and Sasha Sakai, who does most of the production’s makeup and hair.
“Steel Magnolias” is set in Truvy’s Beauty Salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done.
“’Steel Magnolias’ is one of those movies that touches the heart. I remember watching my favorites — Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts nd Sally Field — in the film so long ago. I was always so moved by their performance in the film that I chose ‘Steel Magnolias’ as my senior directing project in college. I was only allowed to direct one scene from the play for that project, and from then on I always knew that I would be directing the play in its entirety at some point in the future.”
Students in the cast are Echo Rohner as Truvy, Makayla Santos as Annelle, Anika Evanoff as Shelby, Isabella Bivens as M’Lynn, Hannah Pearson and Violet Swartz as Clairee, and Estrid Huss-Eriksson and Elena Wilson as Ouiser.
“The play really holds a strong story arch for all six characters,” Hanson said. “We only ever see them in Truvy’s Beauty Salon, and we learn all we need to know through their conversations. It is a show with heart, spirit and a celebration of life. You are guaranteed to laugh, and some might even cry.”
