STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Wed. 6/22 Evening) REVIEW

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 12:42pm

After leaving THE GLASS MENAGERIE exhausted from sheer boredom and disappointment, I was greatly looking forward to seeing one of my favorite plays and some of my favorite women all together on the Lyceum Theater's stage in STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Let me just state that this is one of the best times I have *ever* had in the theater. While it is nothing extraordinary or life-altering, the production is beautifully done and the cast is superb with not a single weak link.

To pick a weak spot in the production, it would be the lighting. Nothing about it is special. Simply on and off, night and day: nothing that is taking the theater lighting world by storm.

A huge fan of Christine Ebersole, Delta Burke and Marsha Mason, I was *so* looking forward to this. Sent a note backstage before the show to Ebersole proclaiming the admiration I have for her work. (Stage door-ed after and she, along with the rest of the cast, was incredibly gracious. Burke, however, had the stage door manager come outside and apologize saying she wasn't feeling well and left through another door.) The cast works so beautifully together on that stage and all look so happy being with one another. I've never seen a stronger ensemble. Honestly, I believe these women make a stronger ensemble then Joe Mantello's recent cast of the ASSASSINS revival at Studio 54 last year. (Shocking and difficult to admit, I think it's true.) Though I had my reservations about Rebecca Gayeheart, let me tell you - she was wonderful. A bowl full of joy on that stage and a very strong member of this ensemble.

The comic timing in this production is a tad off and some lines were missed due to cast members not allowing laughter to die down before continuing. But for the most part, almost every line is heard clearly and the Southern accents are performed FLAWLESSLY without ever any lapse out of them.

The set is absolutely perfect. I could not picture Truvy's salon in any other way then this stunning design in the current production. Not only is the set wonderful, but all of the costumes, including Ouiser's simple jumpsuits, tie in together. Every color matches on the stage, and makes these women look even more beautiful than they already are.

Go see this! Hurry! I can't find enough words to praise this production. While amateur in its own right, it is a beautifully done production of one of the most perfect plays of our time.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 12:44pm

glad you enjoyed!!

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 12:48pm

Delta Burke is one, classy Southern gal.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 12:52pm

Yes she is!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 1:03pm

"To pick a weak spot in the production, it would be the lighting. Nothing about it is special. Simply on and off, night and day: nothing that is taking the theater lighting world by storm."

The designer, Howell Binkley, was most likely going for a simple look for a simple atmosphere. How was the set designed? Was there a roof? Stuff like that can often affect the way you design the lighting for a show. If the designer did anything too creative in a production like this, it could possibly take away from the actors on stage, which is what you do NOT want.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 3:19pm

Oh, yes, there was a roof. I'm not saying the lighting was done poorly or anything. Just that it wasn't anything spectacular or noteworthy.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 6/26/05 at 11:14pm

I saw Steel Magnolias on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it also. I happened to be in the first row so I did not get a full view of the stage a times. Delta Burke is still gorgeous. Delta and Francis Sternhagen were the funniest. I was pleased to see all the cast working together as a group. I was so close when Shelby (Rebecca Gayheart) spit out her peppermint (the candy they gave her during her attack, it hit me in the leg and stuck to my pants. The fellow next to me got hit with some of the orange juice. It was funny.