Steel Magnolias Bloom at the Blue Moon Theatre

by Aimee Renna

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Steel Magnolias at The Blue Moon Theatre in Woodstown. If you have never attended a show here prior, it is a small black box theater located on the ground floor of the old Opera House along Main Street. While the building has stood the test of time, The Blue Moon theatre is a much more recent engagement of the last decade by the valiant efforts of the Stark family and their board. Steel Magnolias is a two act play following a close knit group of women who live in Chinquapin, Louisiana and go to the same hair salon - where the entire show takes place. The play came first off-Broadway in 1987 and was followed quickly after with the film in 1989.

While the cast only consists of six women, the production staff is made up of eleven people filling fifteen key roles that help the show run so smoothly. Direction, Sound Design, and Set Design extraordinaire Mike Russell proves to be an excellent leader, working closely with Greg Hammell (Set Design) and Rick Thompson (Sound Tech/Photographer) to create a seamless exchange of knowledge and skill. Jolee Farrah continues her reign as the Light Design and Tech, rounding out the tech booth. The set design takes on a full hair salon with borrowed professional equipment from Marie Gross at Sam’s Barber Shop in Williamstown; the cast was also given hair styling pointers by Jade Berry. Stage manager and Props Designer Stacy Bachman and crew Cooper LaScala and Brady Thompson, create the passage of time with minute set changes within the decorations of the show as each scene takes place months apart from one another. Cheryl Stark proves her eye for fashion as the Costume Designer, all while playing Ouiser and acting as leader of the company. The program is put together by another cast member, Angela Robb, and the poster is designed by Nikoleta Barboni. 

I must first say that I was deeply impressed by the connections established between each character and how imperative that bond is for an ensemble show like Steel Magnolias. I want to start with the connection between M’Lynn Eatenton, played by Lori Thompson, and Truvy Jones, played by Lauren LaScala. Truvy is the salon owner, working out of the garage that her husband converted for her where M’Lynn is a consistent customer. LaScala captivates from the beginning, providing a lively, natural, and quick-witted performance. She slips into this role with ease as if she had been a hair stylist all her life. Her connection with Thompson (a friendship that I know surpasses the stage) is monumental throughout the show as it breathes life into each interaction. Thompson is a tour de force throughout the show, but particularly in the final scene (I won’t spoil why for those who still need to buy tickets). Thompson is bewitching in her mystery at first, keeping her cards close to her chest as she must for her job. By managing this so beautifully, she is able to break through that wall in the face of tragedy during the final moments and give the audience one of the best performances that I have seen in this area. I was blown away by how raw and honest Thompson worked through this scene and even further by the authenticity of the support she receives particularly through LaScala. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard at a community theater show, but I will remember this one for a very long time. 

These two are accompanied on stage by Clairee Belcher and Ouiser Boudreaux, played by Susan Licciardello and Cheryl Stark respectively. Clairee is the former Mayor’s wife, now that her husband has passed away, who still keeps up with her participation in town particularly in sports. Licciardello is perfect for this role by maintaining a Southern Hospitality to her performance, particularly in her charismatic demeanor and poised persona. Stark acts as the contrasting energy to Licciardello, playing a fiery and opinionated neighbor who lives beside the Eatentons (Thompson and Bak’s characters). These two play off each other deftly throughout the show, establishing the scale of emotional variety between friends. Stark, Licciardello, Thompson, and LaScala run a well oiled machine on stage, feeling as though you’re not witnessing a show at all, but a time capsule of friendship throughout the years.

The cast is rounded out by the two younger additions to the friend group: Shelby Eatenton Latcherie (Alexandria Bak) and Annelle Dupuy DeSoto (Angela Robb). Bak portrays Thompson’s adult daughter Shelby starting at the day of her wedding as she comes to Truvy for her hairstyle. Bak is calm and collected while still having a very realistic relationship with her doting -and occasionally overbearing- mother. She is able to provide an innocence and grace to the stage as her story continues and changes in a way that the other actresses can work with easily. Meanwhile, Annelle is seen on her first day at the salon as a new stylist after moving to town as a tantalizing enigma. She is neurotic and increasingly religious throughout, which Robb manages while still playing a character that the audience is able to love. The two, while being in very different parts of their lives, find several moments to bond throughout the story. They show an ability to continue this close connection through to the next generation of women in Chinquapin. 

Having never experienced this story before on stage or screen, all I knew walking in was that it was a group of women in a hair salon. I was not anticipating to be so completely swept up by the performances of these women or to be so emotionally invested in the story that they told. I am further floored by the quality of production at The Blue Moon Theatre, combining the actors with the set design, props, and costumes seamlessly in an absolute success. I could be biased as I have known this theater for the last 3 years of its growth, but I am so proud of how much hard work has been done at this theater by the board, staff, and cast. The Blue Moon theatre is a rising star in New Jersey with magnificent things in store and I cannot wait to watch it all unfold. Steel Magnolias runs until April 13th and tickets can be purchased at https://www.thebluemoontheatre.com/events.html .