It’s been 26 years since Steel Magnolias made its stage debut, and while a lot has changed since then (particularly in the management of diabetes, which is germane to the story), it still shines as a tender and funny tribute to the power of female friendship. The play features six women: Truvy (Debora Pollock), the warm and witty hairdresser; Clairee (Charmaine Alma), an acerbic semi-socialite; Annelle (Caroline Khoury Smith), a timid newcomer; Ouiser (Michele Moore), the curmudgeonly diamond-in-the-rough; Shelby (Britney Canzi), a sweet-natured bride-to-be; and Shelby’s mother M’Lynn (Diane Hawco), a rational, intelligent woman at odds with her daughter’s impulsive nature. The characters laugh together, trade some sharp one-liners and ultimately grieve together. And though the audience shares in the laughter, the power of the TAG production lies more in the dramatic moments than the comedic ones.
This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2013.