Steel Magnolias
About the Play
The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Steel Magnolias is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (Samuel French)
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Welcome to Hendry Hall, y’awl. Since its première in 1987, Steel Magnolias has been a staple of regional theatre around the world. Everywhere that is but Hendry Hall! So it is my great delight to bring this classic of the American theatre to you on her 30th Birthday. Both on stage and behind the scenes, the talented group of individuals you are going to meet tonight have given their all to bring life to the denizens of Truvy’s Beauty Spot in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana. I invite you to settle back and enjoy the ride as Truvy says “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion”. – Mitchell Mackay
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to North Vancouver Community Players’ production of Steel Magnolias. This is our first production of the new season. Please be sure to pick up a brochure for our upcoming 2017/2018 season. We know that you will love the choices. If you are not already a season ticket holder, now is the time to sign up so that you avoid missing one of our wonderful plays! This year you can choose your nights for your season tickets online at northvanplayers.ca until September 23, 2017 or call our ticket line at 604-983-2633. We hope that you will leave Hendry Hall tonight having enjoyed a wonderful evening of live entertainment. If you would like to join into the fun on and off stage, please check out our website North Van Community Players under the section Volunteer. We would love to have you aboard! – Fran Heaney
| Character | Played by |
| Truvy | Cheryl Hebb |
| Annelle | Clare Froud |
| Clariee | Peggy Busch |
| Shelby | Natasha Pauliyni |
| M’Lynn | Tracy Labrosse |
| Ouiser | Linda Noble |
| DJ/Bob | Kevin Sloan |
| Producer | Rosemary Hundal |
| Director | Mitchell Mackay |
| Author | Robert Harling |
| Stage Manager | Kathleen Denkewalter |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Karen Cresswell |
| Set Design | Mitchell Mackay |
| Set Construction | Clive Sanders, Bob Martin, Andrew Massil, Amanda Froud, and Marty Smith |
| Set Decorators and Painters | Robin Hilliard, and Glynnis Brassil |
| Properties | Ray Boucher, Shelley Smith, Solanges Santerre, and Carolyn Coles |
| Lighting Designer | Bill Howorth |
| Sound Designers | Peter Zednik |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Peter Zednik |
| Costumes | Mitchell Mackay, Karin Bews, and Sharon Alexander |
| Hair and Make-Up | Anella Cusano, Leslie Whittaker |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh, and Pam Kearns |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Marie Brazier |
| Opening Night Catering/Decoration | Rosemary Hundal, Leslie Whittaker, and Marie Brazier |
| Box Office | Glynnis Brassil |
| Photographer | Andrew Massil |
| Videographer | Paul Paterson |
| Original Performance Dates | September 8 to 23, 2017 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Comedy Drama |
| Special Thanks To | Linda Butterworth, Winston Villeneuve, Sydney Lawson, Techniks Hair Studio, Tea Time |
| Mitchell Mackay | Director – Mitchell has appeared in many productions at Hendry Hall. Most recently as Ursula the Octopus in The Little Mermaid and as the nervous nelly Bill in Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii. His last directing assignment for NVCP was the psychological thriller Snake in the Grass. With Steel Magnolias he hopes as Clairee would say “To lighten things up a bit”. His next assignment will be as costume designer for NVCP’s upcoming production of Sylvia. Many thanks to his partner Peter Zednik for all his time and talents. |
| Tracy Labrosse | M’Lynn – Steel Magnolias marks Tracy’s seventh production with NVCP (but who’s counting). Previous shows include Moon Over Buffalo, Doubt, Having Hope at Home, and The Understudy. Tracy was last seen in Theatre West Van’s production of The 39 Steps. Up next, Tracy will be heading ‘back to the South’ to direct NVCP’s festival show, Crimes of the Heart. Tracy hopes you enjoy laughing and crying along with the ladies of Chinquapin Parish. |
| Peggy Busch | Clairee – This is Peggy’s first time working with North Vancouver Community Players. She is thrilled to be working with Mitchell, and with this wonderfully talented cast. Although she has performed in many musicals over the last 35 years, with North Shore Light Opera, Royal City Music Theatre, Peace Arch Musical Theatre, TUTS, United Players and APPLAUSE! Musicals Society , this is her first foray into a straight acting role. She hopes that the audience will forgive her if she forgets, and suddenly bursts into song. |
| Clare Froud | Annelle – Clare joined North Vancouver Community Players in 2013 after moving to Vancouver from England. Since that time she has been seen on the NVCP stage playing the parts of Annabella/Margaret and Pamela in The 39 Steps, Vivian Bliss in Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii and Kitty Verdun in Charley’s Aunt. Clare is delighted to have this opportunity to work with Mitchell again after Snake in the Grass in 2014. She would like to thank this talented cast and crew for making this experience so enjoyable. Welcome all to Chinquapin, Louisiana! |
| Cheryl Hebb | Truvy – Cheryl is thrilled to welcome you to Truvy’s Beauty Spot for the evening. She has worked with NVCP a number of times before and is glad to be back on the Hendry stage. She has worked with First Impressions Theatre and Deep Cove Stage, as well as a couple of other theatre companies on the North Shore. Some of her favourite shows include Norm Foster’s Storm Warning, Here on the Flight Path, Kander and Ebb’s musical The World Goes Round. She thanks Jim and Nathan for supporting her theatre habit. Y’all come back now, ya hear! |
| Linda Noble | Ouiser – Portraying Ouiser (laughin’, cryin’ with y’all) is a dream come true! After formal studies in ballet, piano, voice, and theatre, Linda directed and choreographed student performances. In addition to recording and writing scripts and songs in English and French, she has acted, danced, and sung as a concert soloist and in such roles as the Duchess (Gondoliers), Raoul (Merry Widow), and Polly Piper (Rapunzel). Thank you to all who work “behind the scenes” (especially family)! |
| Natasha Paulinyi | Shelby – This is Natasha’s second appearance with the NVCP after her debut as Amy Spettigue in the hilarious Charley’s Aunt earlier this year. “Soup to nuts” in pink (yet again) but this time as the sassy Miss Shelby Eatenton. Natasha is thrilled to be back on our stage performing this all-time classic alongside a wonderfully talented cast, crew and director! |
| Kevin Sloan | DJ/Bob – Kevin has been acting all over the Lower Mainland since 2001. This is his third production for North Vancouver Community Players, the last being The Sacred Flame in 2006. He is happy to be providing the voice of the radio DJ in such an iconic play for women and working with so many new and talented people. |