PowPAC’s ‘Steel Magnolias’ opens May 11

PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre, presents “Steel Magnolias,” opening Friday, May 11 and running through Sunday, June 10 at the theater, 13250 Poway Road in the Lively Center.

Written by Robert Harling, this comedy-drama began life as a short story before becoming a play. It was made into the a film in 1989 starring Sally Fields, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.

Harling based the play on his mother and her friends following the death of his sister, Susan, from complications from diabetes and kidney failure, a situation mirrored in the play in the characters of M’Lynn and her daughter, Shelby. Harling wrote the play so his nephew and namesake would know about his mother and all she had done, said Brent Stringfield, the director of the show.

Stringfield called the play a “slice of time” in the lives of these six women. “It’s about their friendships, how they interact with each other when one of them loses her daughter and how they welcome a new member in,” he said.

While many are familiar with the plot and characters of the show from the film, Stringfield said the play is a more intimate setting, taking place entirely in Truvy’s salon.

The show stars Diane Norwood Thrasher as Ouiser Boudreaux, the town’s rich curmudgeon; Kate Hewitt as Clairee Belcher, an eccentric millionaire; Amy Stanley as Truvy, the owner of Chinquapin, Louisiana’s beauty salon; Sutheshna Mani as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Truvy’s eager new assistant; Kaly McKenna as M’Lynn Eatenton, whose daughter Shelby is getting married to a “good ol’ boy”; and Ashley LaSelva as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, a diabetic and M’Lynn’s daughter, who risks her life when she gets pregnant.

Stringfield said the cast includes both acting veterans and some new to the professional stage. The cast showcases the generations in the women of the show and reflects some real-life friendships, Stringfield said, as Hewitt and Thrasher have been friends for 30 years.

All six women in the cast bonded during rehearsals, Stringfield said. “They’re a tight-knit group. They became friends off-stage as well, and the younger (actresses) learned from the older.”

Stringfield said that while many people have a preconceived idea about the show as sad, he would classify it more as a comedy. “It’s got some poignant moments, but it’s very funny,” he said.

He also said he liked how the play shows strong women who are friends. “Often now you see women pitted against each other (in media),” Stringfield said. “(This show has) women who are not afraid to show strength and know they will be supported.”

Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22 general admission, $20 for students, seniors and active duty military and are available at powpac.org. There is a complimentary reception with the cast on opening night after the performance.

PowPAC’s theater is on the second floor of the Lively Center. It is handicap accessible via an elevator in the rear of the building.

Email: entertainment@pomeradonews.com