Transposing a hit movie, which anyone over 40 will remember fondly, is a superb challenge. Yet it was a challenge well met by director Shel Piercy and Boone Dog Productions in a fresh new take on “Steel Magnolias.”
Author Robert Harling based his film script, completed in about ten days, on the true story of his sister, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, who succumbed to her illness in her early 30s.Harling showed an incredible empathy and understanding of the special connections and friendships between mothers and daughters, their friends, relatives and neighbours.
Set in a beauty salon run by Truvy (Sheryl Anne Wheaton), we get enmeshed into the complex and often hilarious lives of six strong women. The poignancy of the story is offset by the hilarious anecdotes and many one liners. In response to being accused of always being depressed, Ouiser (Chy) responds with, “I’m not depressed. I’ve just been in a bad mood for 40 years. She appears to always wonder why she’s involved in this crazy group, but her presence is always fresh and engaging. Kudos also to Keira Jang, who plays the newest employee at Truvy’s salon. No one can seem to figure her out, and the confusion seems to be compounded when she, over one weekend, becomes a Christian. “She left like a normal person on Friday evening and came back Monday morning as a Christian,” explains Truvy in total confusion.
The six women characters are well rounded and director Piercy handles their interactions with each other and with the audience with nuanced insight. It’s Shelby’s (Jaime Piercy) wedding day as the play opens and all are excited about the wedding to come and the party aftewards. But their elation is short-lived when Shelby, stricken with Type 1 diabetes, has a diabetic attack. It’s quickly handled by mother M’Lynn (Lalainia Lindbjerg) and gives foreshadowing to the complicated, often strained, but loving relationship between mother and daughter.
But as with any really good production — which Steel Magnolias is — the behind the scenes, stage settings, costumes and set designs are what bring it all together. Noteworthy are the colourful 1970’s costumes and wigs, courtesy of the talents of Christina Sinosich and her team. Set design by Francesca Albertazzi and Lighting Design by Matthew Piercy bring more colour and 70s themes to this production.
Steel Magnolias continues at the Metro Theatre, 1370 S.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver until October 10th with evening shows at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Call 604.266.7191 for tickets.
Visit their website at www.metrotheatre.com