‘Steel Magnolias’

The Somerset Valley Players offer a welcome revival with a marvelous cast and first-rate values throughout.

By: Stuart Duncan

Carole Dale Weiss (left) and Delia Biondi star in the Somerset Valley Players’ production of Steel Magnolias.

   It is startling how shows rise and fall in popularity through the years. This summer, for example, there will be three productions of Jekyll and Hyde and at least that many of Bye Bye Birdie.
   At one time, hardly a month went by without someone staging Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias. But it has been years since that show has surfaced and hence the current revival at Somerset Valley Players is most welcome. Call that doubly welcome, since the drama, directed by Kip Rosser, has a marvelous cast and first-rate values throughout.
   To remind you, we are in the small town of Chinquapin, La., specifically at the beauty shop owned and run by Truvy Jones (Carol Dale Weiss). It is a morning in April and the town is astir. Shelby Eatenton (Dawn Lynne Lanoue) is getting married and naturally enough her hair needs touching up. So, for that matter, does her mom’s M’Lynn (Lori D’Elia) and most of the other regulars who make Truvy’s place a Saturday-morning fixture.
   That would include Clairee Belcher (Linda Konopka), the wife of the recently deceased mayor and Ouiser Boudreaux (Harriet Trainor), who claims to have "been in a bad mood for 40 years." This particular morning, a young intern, Annelle (Delia Biondi), has just been hired. She is a bit mysterious, and the ladies feel there may be a "past" there somewhere.
   Before we pass 18 months with these ladies (in four scenes over two acts), we will know what the author means with his title. We will see and feel the steel and virtually smell the magnolias. Director Rosser has a fine company, magnificently cast and polished to a bright shine.
   Ms. Weiss is so believable as Truvy that I half- expected the program bio to tell me she owned a beauty shop in the area. Ms. Biondi is a college junior, a future teacher, and she is delightful as Annelle. Ms. Konopka plays Clairee with a decided twinkle in her eyes as she punches out such dialogue as: "He’s so confused he doesn’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt."
   Ms. Lanoue finds just the right mixture of self-sacrifice and martydom to make the role of Shelby memorable. Ms. D’Elia seems a complete natural as M’Lynn. Ms. Trainor has the delicious role of Ouiser and never overplays a moment, managing to combine a snarl with a hug.
   Director Rosser’s touches are everywhere — the pace is superb, the stage movements almost unnoticed, but absolutely accurate, the emotions of the drama always true and often very moving. The set is one of the best ever on the Somerset stage. According to the program, entire families worked on it. It was worth it.
Steel Magnolias continues at Somerset Valley Playhouse, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, through Aug. 4. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Tickets cost $11-$13. For information, call (908) 369-7469. On the Web: www.svptheatre.org