STAGE REVIEW : ‘Steel Magnolias’ at OCC Speaks With a Likable Southern Accent

“Steel Magnolias” can be a mawkish visit to familiar Southern terrain, a sentimental play built on personality and predictability. But, if you give it rope, it can also persuade with a gabby charm that makes for a pleasantly uncomplicated experience.

The latter is what director John Ferzacca is after at Orange Coast College. His production, tackled by a cast with more experience than in most campus stagings, has a down-home accessibility that makes the most out of Robert Harling’s personable script--all the Southern flavoring is pretty quaint but still likable.

Harling based his play on personal experience, and the events have a feel of closely observed details that affected him deeply. Because of this, it’s not too difficult to be moved by M’Lynn’s pain when daughter Shelby’s tragedy escalates and “Magnolias” takes a serious turn. Susan O’Connell’s performance as the mother and Judy Anderson’s as Shelby help; both are able to keep the emotional backwash from swamping the production’s sensible side.

Before this trauma is explored, Harling presents us with several other relationships, all between local women who congregate at the beauty shop in a small Louisiana town to give support, get catty with their neighbors and each other and, all in all, reflect on the day as they see it.

It’s a colorful group (when are Southerners ever portrayed as ordinary citizens?): Truvy (Kathy Collins) runs the parlor and dispenses bits of cosmetic wisdom, such as, “There is no such thing as natural beauty.” Clairee (Bettie Muellenberg) loves high school football and is thinking about buying a radio station. Ouiser (Lorraine McWilliams) is a little cranky and owns a weird dog. Annelle (Christy Craven) is Truvy’s simple, spacey born-again assistant.

As the meeting ground for these ladies, David Scaglione has built a large (probably too large for this small town) representation of a beauty shop with all the amenities. It’s well-made, down to the sit-down hair dryers against the wall. Eric Person’s costumes are as bold as the characters who wear them.

‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’

An Orange Coast College production of Robert Harling’s play. Directed by John Ferzacca. With Kathy Collins, Christy Craven, Bettie Muellenberg, Judy Anderson, Susan O’Connell and Lorraine McWilliams. Set by David Scaglione. Lighting by David Dunbrack. Costumes by Eric Person. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. through July 1 in the Drama Lab, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Tickets: $5 to $7. (714) 432-5880.