#1
Posted: 8/1/05 at 2:22am
This evening, I went to the final performance of Steel Magnolias, which was actually a benefit performance for the Actors' Fund of America.
What a great production! I felt that Lily Rabe's portrayal of Annelle stole the show. Delta Burke's larger-than-life portrayal of Truvy kept me rolling in the aisle, Frances Sternhagen was fantastic and so lovable as Clairee, Marsha Mason delivered an hilarious portrayal as Ouiser, and Rebecca Gayheart gave a (surprisingly) solid performance as Shelby.
Now, in the beginning, I wasn't too fond of Christine Ebersole's portrayal of M'Lynn. I thought that she was speaking way too fast and it didn't seem like she was actually listening to her fellow actors; she was just saying her lines right after them. As the show progressed, however, I became more and more fond of her performance and she completely earned my admiration during M'Lynn's heartbreaking tirade in the final scene. Her delivery had me sobbing uncontrollably!
All in all, it was a fine production that had me laughing hysterically and weeping as well at all the right moments. (Sorry for such a lackluster review, but I'm tired!)
Oh, and I a few Broadway stars in attendance, including Mary Testa, Rebecca Luker and Donna Murphy... exciting!
What a great production! I felt that Lily Rabe's portrayal of Annelle stole the show. Delta Burke's larger-than-life portrayal of Truvy kept me rolling in the aisle, Frances Sternhagen was fantastic and so lovable as Clairee, Marsha Mason delivered an hilarious portrayal as Ouiser, and Rebecca Gayheart gave a (surprisingly) solid performance as Shelby.
Now, in the beginning, I wasn't too fond of Christine Ebersole's portrayal of M'Lynn. I thought that she was speaking way too fast and it didn't seem like she was actually listening to her fellow actors; she was just saying her lines right after them. As the show progressed, however, I became more and more fond of her performance and she completely earned my admiration during M'Lynn's heartbreaking tirade in the final scene. Her delivery had me sobbing uncontrollably!
All in all, it was a fine production that had me laughing hysterically and weeping as well at all the right moments. (Sorry for such a lackluster review, but I'm tired!)
Oh, and I a few Broadway stars in attendance, including Mary Testa, Rebecca Luker and Donna Murphy... exciting!
