Bloom’s Still On, Y’all

A decade or so ago, actresses lamented that there were not enough good roles around for females. Then things began to change, with plays like Arthur Kopit’s “Wings,” Lee Blessings’ “Eleemosynary” and Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias.” The latter is proving to be the most popular, almost continuously in revival.

There are six good roles in the play, and it is interesting to see repeated showings to watch the balance change between the characters from staging to staging. Sometimes “Magnolias” is about the daughter, diabetic Shelby Eatenton, who insists on having a baby against doctors’ orders, and sometimes, due to direction and performance, the play becomes about the mother who watches her daughter destroy herself.

Under director Kevin Cochran’s guidance, the staging at Garden Grove’s the Grove Amphitheatre--which moves in July to Fullerton’s Muckenthaler Theatre on the Green--is solidly about Shelby, as it was in the original production at New York’s Lucille Lortel Theatre, with Betsy Aiden in the role.

The sterling performance by Jane Clark as Shelby is what does it for the Grove production. Clark’s insightful picture of a willful, self-absorbed Southern girl, who remains totally likable with magnetic charm and attractive assurance, shifts the focus of empathy to the right place, and gives this production its strength.

Beside Cochran’s fortuitous casting is his ability to continually remind the audience that this is a very funny comedy, true to life in its balance of honest humor, even in the midst of misfortune. The only problem here is rather lethargic tempos, without the crispness good comedy needs, especially in this microcosm of a basically Southern female world.

The scene is Truvy’s (Jane Macfie) beauty parlor, set up in the carport of her home in a small town. It’s the Saturday morning gathering place of some of the more prominent and prosperous women in town. As the action progresses, we follow some of their individual foibles, but primarily are concerned with Shelby’s illness, wedding, surprise pregnancy, and eventual need for a kidney transplant.

The spicy bonding of the women, and their light-hearted approach to everyday events is fine counterpoint to the serious moments between comb-outs.

Macfie is a delight as the beleaguered Truvy, who believes there is no such thing as natural beauty. She is witty, sharp and wise behind her pseudo-bitter facade. As Shelby’s mother M’Lynn, Vickers Wilson is a perfect foil for Clark’s daughter, and though her Southern accent is authentic, it’s not the accent of a woman of her station in the community, as is Mickey Crocker’s as Clairee Belcher, widow of the late town mayor, whose fascination with football leads her to buy the local radio station and announce the halftime color. Crocker is just right in her reserve and shadings.

Lynn Borden is funny, sometimes touching, as Ouiser, the very rich and very cranky Eatenton neighbor, always a difficult role to make work sympathetically, but Borden handles the problems with ease and humor. Sondi Kroeger stands out as Annelle, the naive and slightly opaque new assistant Truvy hires, who’s been deserted by her nasty husband, and finds solace as a born-again Christian, in a performance that shines with insight, affection and a rewarding lightness.

*

* “Steel Magnolias,” Grove Theatre Center Festival Amphitheatre, 12852 Main St., Garden Grove. Thursdays-Sundays, 8:30 p.m. Ends June 27. $18.50-$22.50. The play moves to the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Thursdays-Sunday, 8:15 p.m. July 8-24. $20.50-$24.50. For information, call (714) 741-9555. Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes.

Sondi Kroeger: Annelle

Jane Macfie: Truvy

Mickey Crocker: Clairee Belcher

Jane Clark: Shelby Eatenton

Vickers Wilson: M’Lynn Eatenton

Lynn Borden: Ouiser

A Grove Theatre Center production of Robert Harling’s comedy-drama. Director: Kevin Cochran. Scenic/lighting design: Leonard Ogden. Sound design: Ron Wyand. Costume design: Don Nelson. Dialect coach: Sandi Massi. Stage manager: Richard Ballering.