January 30th - March 22nd. 2020
The Story
Steel Magnolias is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" go to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken and wise cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, and the local social leader, M'Lynn whose daughter, Shelby, is about to marry. The excitement of the wedding quickly turns to concern as Shelby faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications. As the women of Chinquapin make their way over life's many hurdles, they find comfort (and a fair amount of verbal ribbing) in each other.
Content
Were it movie, Steel Magnolias would be rated PG, with mild coarse language and some adult themes.
Pricing
$39 A Level Seating / $36 B Level Seating / $25 C Level Seating
Show Times
All matinees start at 1 pm and all evening shows start at 8pm
Director Galloway Stevens has built a world that is engrossing right from the start, and has guided these amazing performers in creating fully-realized relationships. This production completely engages your empathy, and rewards it with a level of catharsis that I rarely get to experience.
This woman-affirming, life-affirming tear jerker, full of big hair and big hearts, is a 1980s classic. Don't miss it.
“Steel Magnolias” is performed in one beautifully detailed setting. The design of the cut-and-curl shop is tall to reflect the high spirits of the women and constructed with timbers to reflect their strength. The textures and angles of shingling, textiles, curves and corners shape the space into a private, close world, almost taken over by kudzu.
Praise for Steel Magnolias from Facebook
"It reflects the honesty & love of the strong women of all generations"
"It was a wonderful show!"
"You may have seen this play, or motion picture, before. But, believe me, you really haven't intimately known the heart and soul of Steel Magnolias until you have see this production! Brilliant in every aspect!!"
"Saw it yesterday! What an excellent production. Brava!"
"Such an amazing show!!!"
"Awesome show! ❤️"
"It was wonderful"
"One of the best ever! Love this great theatre."
"YOU MUST SEE THIS SHOW"
" It was wonderful!"
"This was an amazing performance! Every actor was fabulous. Laughing and crying. The sets and the lighting and the flowing art work on the walls was just what was needed. And a shout out to the solo guitarist who played before the show started. I highly recommend this play"
"Excellent production. Each performance was spot on."
CATHERINE LYNN DAVIS*
Clairee
Catherine is making her debut appearance on the Oregon Cabaret stage but has been a recognizable face in Ashland for twenty plus years; performing with Oregon Shakespeare Festival for ten of those years. Other regional companies include Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (12 years), American Players Theatre (4 years), as well as Yale Rep, Indiana Rep, Rep of St. Louis and many more. Cate carries a B.A. from Case Western Reserve and is the recipient of the 1998 Garland Award for her work in OSF’s Comedy Of Errors and School For Scandal. She also totes two Cleveland Critics Circle Awards. “ For my darling husband, Ken Albers, who passed away in 2018.”
JULIE CARDIA*
M'Lynn
Julie is so thrilled to be performing with Oregon Cabaret Theatre, in this beautiful play, with this wonderful group of women. Past credits include: Cameron Mackintosh’s Broadway Revival of Les Miserables (Madame Thenardier cover/Wigmaker), Annie starring Kathy Lee Gifford at Madison Square Garden, directed by Martin Charnin, The Music Man:In Concert, starring Shirley Jones and the Natl. Tour of Wizard of Oz. Julie received a Broadway World Award for her performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at Stages St. Louis and a Kevin Kline nomination for her portrayal of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. Julie and her identical twin sister Janna, starred in the world premier of REPLICA, a sci-fi play about human cloning, at Stages Repertory Theatre. juliecardia.com
RENEE HEWITT
Ouiser
Renee is returning to the OCT stage after appearing in Backwards In High Heels as Lela Rogers and The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee as Rona Lisa Piretti. Other regional credits include Dancing At Lughnasa - Kate Mundy (Collaborative Theatre Project); Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead - The Player, Man of La Mancha - Aldonza (The Camelot); Picasso at the Lapin Agile - Germaine, Dracula: A Musical Nightmare - Faith (San Jose Stage); Oliver! - Nancy (Cabrillo Stage); The Yogi Bear Show & In Concert '87 , Beach Blanket Babylon's 20th Extravaganza - Dancer (Great America).
KATY WILSON
Shelby
Katy is making her debut performance with OCT. She is originally from Raleigh, NC but has been living in New York City for the past three years. National Tour credits include (off-Broadway hit) Polkadots. Other regional credits include Chasing Jack (‘Best Play’ at New York Theatre Festival); Steel Magnolias (Gallery Players); All About Image (NY Fringe); Valer (SheNYC); City of Light (54 Below, SheNYC). Educational training includes Furman University B.M. in Voice; Accademia dell’Arte in Tuscany; Additional Training in NYC: Atlantic Theater Company, Jen Waldman Studio. “Huge thanks to my team: Mom & Dad, Baker Management, and Grace. Dedicated to the real life ‘Shelby’, Susan Harling Robinson.”
MILLICENT K. HUNNICUTT
Truvy
Millicent is making her debut appearance on the Oregon Cabaret stage. She is originally from Flat Rock, NC. Other regional performance credits include Always Patsy Cline (Louise), 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Millie), Hello Dolly (Dolly Levi), A Chorus Line (Shiela), Great American Trailer Park (Betty), Annie (Ms. Hannigan). Millicent holds a BS of Acting and Musical Theatre Performance with a Dance Emphasis from Lees- McRae College. “All my love to my mama and daddy. This show is dedicated to my Grammie and her Cut and Curl beauty shop, where I learned all things ‘Truvy’.”
Be Boulay
Annelle
Be returns to Oregon Cabaret Theatre after serving as the female understudy in Every Christmas Story Ever Told. They are originally from San Jose, CA but have lived in Ashland for close to ten years. Other regional credits include Catherine in The Foreigner, Daniel in Shakespeare Abridged! (Camelot Theatre); Teresa in How The Other Half Loves, Ariadne in Seven Dreams of Falling, Princess/Robber Girl in The Snow Queen (Collaborative Theatre Project). Be holds a BFA in Performing Arts from Southern Oregon University. “Thanks for the support of their parents and educators.”
Production Team:
Production Team
Director: Galloway Stevens
Assistant Director: Sydney Langlie
Scenic Designer: Alan Schwanke^
Lighting Designer: Michael Stanfill^
Costume Designer: Ryan Moller^
Wigs: Virginia Carol Hudson
Assistant Costume Designer: Moss Royer
Sound Designer: Kimberly Carbone
Prop Designer: James Paul Xavier
Technical Director: Drew Bangs
Production Manager/Stage Manager: Julie Bangs*
Assistant Stage Manager: Lynn Dutra
Illustration Art Designer: Mallory Prucha