Theatre--Review

Steel Magnolias, the Richard Harling dramedy about six women in Truvy’s Beauty Salon, is a staple of community theater across America. The show is filled with pithy one-liners, as well as personal conflict (this IS a beauty parlor after all) and more substantive themes of interpersonal relations (we are stuck with our family but can choose our friends) and the consequences of choices we make. It is especially endearing to Louisiana, as it is set in our very own Natchitoches. Made into a movie, and performed in virtually every theater venue in Acadiana, the Teche Theater of the Performing Arts gave its take on the show – and a successful take it was.

The ensemble cast was wonderful. Each actress took a personal slant on her character, her humor, and her own tragedy. By the end of the play, they seemed like friends of mine. While all six cast members were excellent, particularly outstanding were Erin Segura as Shelby and Denise Hodge as Ouiser. Segura’s character was a standout, maintaining the upstate accent throughout. She was assertive, flippant, and altogether modern in contrast to the other “ladies.” Hodge was a hysterical – from the moment she took the stage eyes focused on her bombastic, spitfire take on Ouiser. Hodge’s every line was given with confidence, character, and punch and got more than an appropriate laugh. I was surprised to find out during the curtain call that this was her very first time on stage … she seemed to be a veteran! Speaking of first timers, Director Ed “Tiger” Verdin was making his directorial debut. His staging was virtually flawless. The many levels of the stage, made it easy to see all characters from any point in the theater, so all were clearly heard and seen. Interestingly, a simple window frame and door frame separated the shop from the beautiful townscape outside … and did the job perfectly well. In the hands of a creative director and crew, such miracles are possible!

The Teche Theater, with its multiple levels of seating, was a perfect environment for this show and every member of the “house staff” made the audience feel welcome and part of the family. It is almost as though we were at Truvy’s Beauty Salon sitting in the “waiting seat” and next on the hot seat! Many consider Steel Magnolias a “chick show” and that it is. The audience was over 80% on the distaff side. But show is a chance for everyone (i.e., men) to look into this particular slice of the world, the people, and the problems in it.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies