As another theatre season comes to a close, the Longwood University Theatre Department gets ready to present its final production for the year to the campus community with "Steel Magnolias," written by Robert Harling. Shows will begin running April 12-15 and again from April 19-22.
The title, of course, will be familiar to many, as the play has a very popular movie adaptation of the same name starring big names like Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts and Sally Field. The play centers on the lives of six women over the course of three years and is set entirely in a beauty parlor. The plot covers the trials, tribulations and friendships they all endure, ranging from weddings and births to funerals.
The director for this production is Adjunct Professor Rhonda Scarrow, and "Steel Magnolias" is the first production she has directed at Longwood. Scarrow, who has taught high school theatre in the past, said that working with college students has been a great experience because it allows her to be less of a "teacher" and more of a director. She said, "I don't have to worry if someone left the glue gun on or if everyone has a ride home."
Scarrow acknowledged that many audience members will come expecting to see some of the same elements that are in the film adaptation and said, "Most people have seen the movie ... they're going to come looking for Dolly Parton." She also said of the play, "I think the biggest surprise, if you've never seen the show, is that everything that takes place in the movie actually takes place in the beauty shop."
When discussing what she hopes the audience will take away from their show experience, Scarrow said, "I have two things on my mind, one as a director and teacher ... I want them to walk away thinking we're doing good stuff here." She also hopes the audience will walk away feeling like they were able to relate to the characters.
Scarrow also said that she is impressed with the department's talent in regards to both acting and technical aspects. She feels that this play is a great opportunity for the women in the theatre department to "really shine."
Students within the Longwood University Theatre Department have created a video preview for "Steel Magnolias," and it can be seen on the department's YouTube channel, LongwoodUTheatre.
The cast has spent the past five and a half weeks rehearsing the show, and it is sure to be a great close to the 2011-2012 play season at Longwood.
Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for Longwood faculty/staff, senior citizens and students from other schools/colleges and $5 for Longwood students. Box-office hours are 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The box-office opens again one hour prior to show times. Tickets can also be purchased online thru the box office website: http://www.longwood.edu/commstudiestheatre/18642.htm. Come early as there is limited seating available, and tickets may sell out fast. Contact the Box Office at boxoffice@longwood.edu for more information.
The relationships of six women are tested in the play.
Stephanie Trippeer (left) and Adrienne Johnson (right) play two of the six main women in "Steel Magnolias."
