Stage Door Theatre’s rendition of ‘Steel Magnolias’ a single-set gem

Stage Door, concluding its 52nd season with “Steel Magnolias,” pulled off an absolute gem with strong performances by its all-female ensemble cast.

Directed by Jaclyn Hoffman Faircloth, the play, adapted from the 1989 movie, tells the story of a group of women who bond together over shared weekly blow-outs and the gossip that takes place in both the salon and their lives.

“It’s a show that reminds us how poignant and powerful laughter is in times of great sorrow,” said SDT Producing Artistic Director Justin Ball in a release from SDT. “With a story like’ Steel Magnolias’ that focuses on the incredible resilience that specifically comes from female friendship and community, it felt important to find a woman-led team of brilliant artists to bring this story to life.”

Rounding out the all-woman team is Gabrielle Story as assistant director, Jennifer Baldwin as scenic designer, Nicole Clockel as costume designer, Lindsey Sharpless as lighting designer, Claudia Martinez as sound designer, and Caroline Cook as props designer/stage manager.

Brittani Miniweather as Truvy is the glue that holds the cast together with her quick one-liners and confident stage presence (and her hairdressing skills were pretty impressive, too). Molly Penny as the sweet Arnelle, a naive young girl who stumbles into Truvy’s Beauty Shop, holds her own in a cast of strong personalities.

Ouiser (Tiffany Porter) and Clairee (Christy Baggett) provide comedic relief to some of the saddest scenes in the one-set play, and special kudos go to the sound designer team, which advances the well-known story with off-set chatter and sound effects. Very little of the nuanced plot is missed, even though the entire production is set in Truvy’s salon.

Alejandra Ruiz as Shelby and Betsy Graver, playing her mother, M’Lynn, play out the tragedy that we all know is coming without being overwrought or maudlin. Shelby is the perfect combination of innocence and determination to live out her dream of being a mother. M’Lynn airs her grief with a ferociousness that had members of the audience openly weeping.

Steel Magnolias runs through April 19 with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances Tickets are on sale now.

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