Actors Circle presents classic drama ‘Steel Magnolias’ at Providence Playhouse in Scranton April 21-May 1
From a press release:
Community theatre group Actors Circle will present the classic comedic drama “Steel Magnolias” at the Providence Playhouse in Scranton on Thursday, April 21 through Sunday, May 1.
Written by presents Robert Harling, the action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for 40 years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.”
Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play contains tragedy but also the underlying strength – and love – which gives it, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny, and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad. It was made into a successful film in 1989 starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis.
Directed by Eric Lutz, the cast includes Norine Maier as M’Lynn and Jessica McGuigan as her daughter, Shelby; Jennifer Frey Abdalla as Truvy and Rachel Lucille Woodworth as her awkwardly shy assistant, Annelle; Kelly Kapacs as the grumpy Ouiser and her sweet friend Susan Parrick as Clairee.
Others on the production staff include stage manager David Alejandro Smith and producers Cathy Rist Strauch and Jeff Ginsberg.
“Steel Magnolias” runs April 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and May 1 at the Providence Playhouse (1256 Providence Rd., Scranton) on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Saturdays at 1 p.m. (April 23) and 8 p.m. (April 30). Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students, with the exception of Thursday, April 21, when tickets are $8 for general admission and seniors and $6 for students.
For reservations, call 570-342-9707 or email tickets@actorscircle.com. All reservations are held 10 minutes until showtime. Masks may be required for this event.
Actors Circle is supported in part by a grant from the Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department and the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
Now in their 40th season, Actors Circle was formed in 1982. A group of actors was sitting in a circle on the floor of the University of Scranton auditorium and decided on the name for their organization before performing their first production, “The Crucible.” Originally, the group was known as the Jefferson Hall Players, but the University asked them to change the name because there was already a small theater group at the University with that same name.
Over the years, Actors Circle has also performed at other venues, such as the Scranton Cultural Center, the Century Club, the Jewish Community Center, Nay Aug Park, the Everhart Museum, the Lackawanna Children’s Library, the Lackawanna County Courthouse, and the Tripp House.
In 1984, Providence Playhouse became home to Actors Circle. In this small intimate theater, productions such as comedies, dramas, classics, musicals, plays from well-known authors, and obscure, but important playwrights have been performed. Actors Circle has also commissioned original works, such as the adaptation of “Frankenstein” by Scranton native Ted LoRusso and an original play by John McInerney. Other theatrical organizations have also been welcomed to perform in the home of Actors Circle, such as DGM Productions, Inc.
The founders’ mission was to keep live theatre accessible to the general public, as well as to educate and enlighten not only audiences, but actors, directors, technical crew, and stage managers as well. Actors Circle continues to strive to fulfill this goal by providing the community with laughter and thought-provoking performances.
