Producing a comedy on stage after it took the silver screen by storm can be a significant challenge. But Brigham Young University's production of "Steel Magnolias" takes no back seat to the box office smash.
In fact, it seems tighter without all the scene changes, and the absence of vulgarity is a definite plus. Saturday night's audience laughed and cried as the story about six women in a small southern town unfolded on the Pardoe Stage.Although playwright Robert Harling based the play on the relationship between his mother and late sister, it's really about the longtime ties between six friends and how they deal with each other. There are loads of laughs as well as poignant, insightful moments as the women meet at the beauty shop every week.
Director Ivan Crosland has chosen the cast well for this ensemble piece, and they work together beautifully. BYU theater student Kiva Jump plays Truvy, the owner of the beauty shop and an incurable romantic whose own marriage lacks any semblance of romance.
Katherine Willis plays Annelle, the new girl in town and the new employee at Truvy's shop. She successfully manages the transitions from modest denim skirt and blouse to black leather miniskirt and then to a dowdy, fervent born-again Christian.
Tayva Patch is perfect as the older, stylish Clairee, widow of the former mayor. She is never out of character. Bonnie Pence, another actress seen in community productions around Utah Valley, pulls off her role as the zany, ornery Ouiser. The caustic repartee between the refined Clairee and the brash Ouiser is responsible for much of the play's humor.
Tracey Wilson acts appropriately young and innocent as Shelby, a young bride with diabetes. Reta S. Patterson as M'Lynn gives such a moving account of her daughter's death that sniffles could be heard throughout the audience Saturday night.
The writer has shown great sensitivity in creating six individual women and capturing the essence of their relationships with each other. The director and cast have managed to carry that sensitivity and individuality into the performance. Although their lines are sometimes spoken so rapidly that some of the words get lost in the southern accents, the overall production is undeniably enjoyable.
BYU's final show of the 1989-90 theater season is truly a winner.