Steel Magnolias
Robert Harling
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
It’s the ‘80s in the little, rural town of Chinquapin, Louisiana; and the regulars are coming into Truvy’s Salon for their Saturday morning snipping, ratting, and spraying to get their do’s touched up to perfection, to hear the latest in town gossip, and most importantly, to be together in a place where no males – men or dogs – are allowed. Truvy herself declares, “This is women’s territory.” For those walking through its door, it is a haven as sacred as any of the town’s many churches where a strong sisterhood walks together through life’s daily in’s and out’s as well the occasional up’s and the inevitable down’s.
But unlike the lily-white Truvy’s of Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias that first appeared on stage in 1987 and on the star-filled, big screen in 1989, the Truvy’s on the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley stage is Black-owned with a clientele and staff of women Black, white, and Asian. The result is a play that in its original form could easily in 2023 be viewed as a bit dated – even with all its guaranteed laughter and tears, given Harling’s script both punchy and poignant – but in this production is given a make-over that provides this Steel Magnolias newly styled, fresh-looking spark, spunk, and spirit
For my complete review, please continue to Talkin’ Broadway.
Rating: 4 E
Steel Magnolias continues through July 2, 2023, in production by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA. Tickets are available online at http://theatreworks.org
Please note: Masks are required of all patrons Friday, June 16th at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 17th at 2 p.m.; and Saturday, June 24th at 2 p.m.
Photo Credits: Kevin Berne
