The Connection

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) is staging "Steel Magnolias" now to Oct. 1. The play features a group of Louisiana women as they bond and gossip at a local beauty shop while following the marriage and motherhood of one of the customer's daughters. Playwright Robert Harling's play made its 2005 Broadway debut after the 1989 film version starring Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton.

Alana Sharp plays the role of M'Lynn Eatonton, Shelby's mother. "M'Lynn is a strong, determined woman driven to take care of people. Like many women, she puts her focus on helping and tending to the needs of others and often sacrifices her own needs," she said. "She refills her cup from the well of energy of her friends and only allows herself to break down in the safety of their sanctuary."

She said she played the role once before a few years ago and it was important for her to think of this as a clean slate and create a new character. "The vision of a new director is different than the last so it would be ridiculous to try and revive my old M'Lynn and force that square peg into a round hole," she said. "So I started fresh. I sat down with my script and am reworking my motivations and tactics. It's a whole new character study."

Carla Crawford plays the role of Truvy Jones, the owner of Truvy’s Beauty Shop. "She wants everyone who comes into her shop to feel welcome and loved. Truvy is always looking at the bright side of life and wants others to share in her positivity," she said.

She said because the movie is so iconic with the Truvy character played by Dolly Parton, it would be easy to just mimic what she did on screen. "It was important to me to make Truvy my own. I grew up in a very small town in Alabama and have sat in salons that I don't think are very different from Truvy's. I tried to base 'my' Truvy on some of the ladies back home," she said.

She added: "I hope audiences will be reminded how vital friendships are, how important it is to tell family you love them, and how unbelievably strong women can be."

Patricia Smith plays the role of Ouiser who is a bit "set in her ways." She said: "Life hasn't always been easy for this old Southern woman, but she has persevered and triumphed. She is made of strong stuff and her friends know that, regardless of her rough edges, she can be counted on at all times."

She said she wanted to be sure to explore all the notes in the melody that is this character. "It would be very easy to play just one note. That would be very unfair to Ouiser," she said.

Referring to the word "steel" in the play's title, she said: "This is a play about strength — the strength of individuals; the strength of friendships; the strength of families; the strength of traditions, and, of course, the strength of women."

Brenda Parker plays the role of Clairee, who is well aged and refined. "Think of a nice bottle of French wine properly paired with a tart soft cheese," she said. "As the former mayor's wife and recent widow, she's trying to find new purpose and passion."

She said: "Clairee has her 'Steel Magnolias moments' daily. She finds reasons to get out of bed, go places and stay active and enrich the lives of her friends and community. All the while never letting a good recipe or reason to bake pass her by."

Co-producer Brooke Angel had never produced before, so when she was approached, she thought it was a joke. "I'm honored my first show to produce is 'Steel Magnolias,’ and that I have such a great tech crew and cast to do this with," she said. "I hope they let me do more in the future — maybe 'Steel Magnolias, the Male Version?'"

What she was trying to accomplish was to make the play both appealing to women and men. "This show is about women, but it's important for men to see it and enjoy it too. I hope to get men, not being dragged by their wives or girlfriends, who want to see the show and enjoy it," she said.

She added: "Women are strong. It's so simple but it's such a powerful idea. Women go through so much — a lot we don't even talk about among ourselves. This play shows we are not alone in our struggles — ever. And women are 'Steel Magnolias,' — we are pretty but tough. And we should celebrate each other for being strong instead of tearing each other down, which is often our first instinct sometimes."

Susan Smythe plays the role of Annelle, the only outsider since she's just moved to Chinquapin from a smaller nearby town. "Throughout the play, Annelle goes through a lot of changes on the road to figuring out who she is (and becoming a ‘Steel Magnolia’), and I think she's able to change, grow and explore mostly due to the solid new 'family' she has found in Truvy and the ladies of the salon," she said.

She added: "I think the challenge of a ‘character’ role like Annelle is to create a genuine, living- breathing human who is not a stereotype or a caricature. While I certainly want to make sure I hit all the comic notes, I also want the audience to get to know and love the adorable (albeit, a little awkward), authentic person that Annelle is."

Co-stage manager Larry Grey said he decided to jump on board because he loves this show. "Yes, it is a show about five amazing, strong women. Beyond that, however, is a show about the value of friendship. A reminder to us that life is not meant to be lived in isolation, but we were created for fellowship."

He added: "Each of these characters is on this journey called life. They rely on the strength of each other to survive the journey. I think that story is a timeless message that we need reminding of often."

Lynn Lacy is the co-stage manager and sound designer on the show. She said: "This show is very near and dear to my heart. It was a favorite of my daughter's in movie form, because she always got a kick out of me crying over the sad parts. We ended up burying her with a copy of the film after she died in a car crash Thanksgiving morning 2001, at the age of 21. I never pass up a chance to work on this show because I know my Jennifer is right here with me, watching to see if I'll cry. Without fail, I shed a tear during every show. Also without fail, just a whisper away, I hear a giggle."

The Little Theatre of Alexandria is staging "Steel Magnolias" now to Oct. 1. Show times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $19 and $22. The venue is located at 600 Wolfe St. Call the box office at 703-683-0496 or visit the website at www.thelittletheatre.com.