Emporia State University Theatre kicks off the spring season with “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling. This production is under the direction of Theresa Mitchell, who retires this spring after 20 years with the Department of Communication and Theatre.
“I feel wonderful,” Mitchell said. “There’s some nostalgia setting in, a sense of conclusion, and looking back on the variety of shows I’ve done, this feels right to finish with this one.”
“Steel Magnolias” revolves around six women that come every Saturday morning to Truvy’s beauty shop where the ladies catch up on the drama of the town and with each other. Each woman has difficulties in her life and the women offer support for one another that helps them through their troubles with laughter. The play had a long run off-Broadway and has been revived many times since. The 1989 film was directed by Herbert Ross and featured an all-star cast including Shirley Maclaine, Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.
“It’s a realistic comedy. There is drama in the second act, but even when the drama happens, the strength of these women to laugh through it, they find a way to support M’lynn,” Mitchell said. “It wraps up in a beautiful sense that life goes on. I think that is its core message. That most of us go through troubles in our life and our troubles ebb and flow and when things look the darkest often times we can find the light through our friends and family.”
The cast for “Steel Magnolias” features Zulema Renteria (Emporia), Emily Kathryn Rayson (Ottawa), Hannah Hendricks (Wichita), Hannah Lingard (Topeka), Miranda Kimble (Mullinville) and Elisabeth Higbee (Tonganoxie).
This production will feature the costume designs of Amanda Dura who has two students helping her with the hair and makeup design — Olivia Nunnelley (Goddard) and Elizabeth Tate (Sand Springs, OK). Matt Mahr (Overland Park) is the student scenic designer for show with Chris Lohkamp designing the lights. Justin Scheck (Gardner) is the sound designer.
The stage management team for “Steel Magnolias” is Brian Percival (Olathe) and Jasmine Hall (Independence). Front of house staff incudes Gabe Diaz-Serrano (Olathe) as the house manager with Paige Lundin (Wichita) in the box office.
The technical crew for the show is Jared Steele (Garden City), Parker Hernandez (Hutchinson), Lucas Coble (Olpe), Morgan Shipman (Topeka), Taylor Wingert-Ashlock (Topeka), Laney Smith (Belle Plaine), Dylan Kramer (McPherson), Andrew Ralston (Topeka), Dayne Sabatos (Burlington), Corrine Payton (Emporia), Jaimala Hughes (Dodge City), Kodee Rose Stokes (Cimarron) and Isabelle Nelson (Olathe).
Tickets purchased in advance for “Steel Magnolias” cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. Tickets purchased at the door on the day of a performance will increase to $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for students. Tickets for all ESU Theatre productions can be purchased online at tickets.emporia.edu. Tickets are also available in person from the University Ticket Office in the Memorial Union or by calling 620-341-6378.
“Steel Magnolias” will be performed in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall at Emporia State University. The show runs Feb. 27 through March 2 with performances starting at 7:30 p.m. each night.