 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Local News
|
Friday, May 16, 2008, 10:31 AM
Theater has superb opening By Hal Tarleton | Daily Times Opinion Editor If Thursday night's opening of "Steel Magnolias" is any indication, Theater of the American South is off to a grand third season. Robert Harling's tragicomic examination of the lives and emotions of Southern women at a Chinquapin Parish, La., beauty parlor is both perceptive and entertaining. Friendship, empathy, laughter, pain, joy and grief all melt into a Louisiana gumbo that is painfully real and delightfully humorous. The experience and talents of the six women who play characters at various stages of a woman's lifetime shine throughout the two-hour production. With only six characters, minimal "action" and a roller coaster of emotions, the play challenges these talented performers, and all acquit themselves beautifully. Sue Ellen Christensen as Clairee convincingly turns her character from a grieving, stranded widow in Act I to a confident, self-assured businesswoman by the end of the play. Debra Gillingham as beautician Truvy prances in high heels and cheap-fancy clothes as she welcomes her loyal customers and best friends into her parlor. Meredith Sause as Annelle also makes a difficult transition from the dispirited, frightened, naive young abandoned wife (maybe) to a Bible-thumping, prayer-kneeling believer from Riverview Baptist who is, nevertheless, befriended, comforted and loved by Truvy and her customers. Lenore Field and Caroline Kapo as mother-daughter M'Lynn and Shelby are the focus of the drama and the cause of the tears. Kapo bounces onto the stage in her pink Keds in the opening scene, her perky excitement and vivaciousness hiding her serious medical condition, and her love of all things pink providing a continuing laugh line. ("Her colors are pink and pink," her mother says.) Field captures the protective but unconditionally loving mother who abides her daughter's independence and risk-taking even as she worries constantly. Her angry, despairing semi-soliloquy on death at the end is one of the most powerful speeches the Boykin Center stage has ever hosted. It elicits tears from many in the audience. But even Field's maternal emotions cannot match the bravura performance of Quinn Hawkesworth, who pulls on the skin and sinews of her character, Ouiser. She roars onto the stage, kicking aside the screen door, spewing sarcasm and bile. For Hawkesworth, it's not just her droll lines, which are delivered with the timing, cadence and phrasing of a great blues singer. She captures Ouiser with every gesture, every movement and every facial expression. There is never a wasted motion. Costuming achieves the credibility needed for each character, from big-haired Truvy to Clairee, who changes from matronly to colorfully (purple slacks and red Keds) self-sufficient, and Annelle, who transitions from slightly sleazy to frumpy Primitive Baptist. At the end, Truvy captures the play by saying, "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion," and M'Lynn answers, "Life goes on." It sure does. Tonight, the Boykin Center stage will be transformed for the second Theater of the American South production, Lee Smith's "Fair and Tender Ladies," at 8 o'clock. The two plays will be performed in repertory three times each week through June 1. tarleton@wilsontimes.com | 265-7812
|
|
|
|
