MONROE — At its annual meeting, Jan. 10, Monroe Theatre Guild announced its 2023 Colony Brands Season.
The new year begins with Steel Magnolias, directed by Jennie Lembach. Jennie shared her personal relationship to the story having lost a family member to diabetes, making this a must-direct for her alongside Assistant Director, Jonah Levia.
Jennie wanted to work with a smaller cast, and she will, as the cast features only six actresses: Kate Eliasson as Truvy, Alli Buckets as Annelle, Melanie Zentner as Clairee, Emily Duvall as Shelby, Melissa Schnepper as M’Lynn, and Denise Plantenberg as Ouiser.
Written by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias tells the story of a group of women who are, as the title suggests, delicate as magnolias, but tough as steel. In synopsis, Truvy runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment.
Along with her eager new assistant, Annelle, Truvy styles the hair of many of the women about town: wealthy widow and former first lady of Chinquapin, Clairee, local curmudgeon Ouiser, compassionate career woman M’Lynn, and her daughter Shelby, the prettiest girl in town. Shelby’s wedding is the talk of the town, but the joy of her special day quickly turns to concern, as she faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications due to her long history with diabetes.
When Shelby dies from the complications of the disease, M’Lynn has to deal with the most difficult challenge: The loss of one’s child. As the women make their way together over life’s many hurdles they find comfort, with a fair amount of verbal ribbing, in one another.
Monroe Theatre Guild is also sponsoring a theme-based silent auction with all proceeds going directly to the American Diabetes Association. In keeping with the setting of the play and the underlying story of the devastating effects of diabetes, the auction will feature donated items and gift certificates from local hair salons and barber shops.
To make an auction donation for this worthy cause, please reach out to MTG at info@monroetheatre.com. Items for bid can be viewed on the MTG website starting March 1 and in the MTG lobby during Steel Magnolias’ performances. The silent auction wraps up during the intermission of the final performance on March 19. Successful bidders need not be present to win.
The show will have six performances on the Colony Brands Stage: March 10 at 7 p.m., March 11 at 7 p.m., March 12 at 2 p.m., March 17 at 7 p.m., March 18 at 7 p.m., with the final performance March 19 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available both online and in person. Online tickets can be found at: monroetheatre.com under the Buy Tickets tab. For those that do not have access to the internet or would like to purchase a ticket in person can also be purchased exclusively at the MTG Ticket Window on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 910 16th Avenue, Monroe, or by calling (608) 325-1111.
