By Robert Harling
James Wood, Director
Marty Wallin, Producer
As presented at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center
May 18-21, 2000
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 40 years); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee; 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 diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength-a and love-which gives the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Stacy Ploeger . . . Truvy Jones - 40ish. Owner of the beauty shop.
Sandra Rieck . . . Annelle Dupuy - Desoto - 19. Beauty shop assistant.
Deb Heller . . . Clairee Belcher - 66ish. widow of former mayor. Grande dame.
Danelle Wildermuth . . . Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie - 25. Prettiest girl in town.
Laurie Ness . . . M'Lynn Eatenton - 50ish. Shelby's mother. Socially prominent career woman.
Sylvia Newell . . . Ouiser (pronounced "Weezer") Boudreaux - 66ish. Wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but loveable.
Fifteen-Minute intermission
Director . . . W. James Wood
Producer . . . Marty Wallin
Stage Manager . . . Ryan Reider
Sound . . . Dan Wildermuth
Lights . . . Galen Dalin
Set . . . Brad Thielsen, Chuck Ness, Dan Wildermuth
Properties . . . JaNeil Peschon
Stage Crew . . . Kate Ness, Katrina Fehringer, Kelsey Ploeger, Jon Morgan, Ryan Mollema, Casey Carmody
Hair/Make-up . . . Becky Thielsen
Tickets . . . Helen Ray
A sneak preview...the 2000-2001 season
Mystery - A Dickens's Christmas Carol by Mark Landon Smith 10/00
Comedy - Love Sex and the IRS by William VanZandt/Jane - 02/01
Comedy - The Money in Uncle George's Suitcase by AUTHOR - 06/01
Thank you to UBC, Downtown Hobby Shoppe, Joel Steffen, Hair by Stewarts, Dee Korthals, Olde Towne Dinner Theatre in Worthing, S & S Truck Repair, The Pipestone Performing Arts Center, the Ushers, Dennis Hansen, Jin Hintermeister, Joyce Meinders, Leah Roelfsema-Hummel, Progress, Inc., The Pipestone County Museum, Mark Fode, The Pipestone County Star, and KLOH-KJSD radio.
Also thank you to...Joanne Petersen and Laurie Merrill at Top Looks for set furniture and props.
And a special thanks to..."KPPD DJ" Mylan Ray.
Robert Harling struck a nerve when his play, Steel Magnolias, first debuted. It's popularity soared, leading to the all too known movie that touched us all. Commonly referred to as a "chick flick," because it centers around six women who come together in a beauty parlor to form a solid support net, this play even appeals to the manliest of men. Most likely this is because of the genuine nature of the bond these women share. We all have known a "Ouiser" or a "Clairee." We live with these people every day. We share their laughs and we share their sorrows--it's what makes us who we are. The solid foundation our friends give us is the only thing that gets us through a day. So , take a look at these women. See what they do for each other, and when you wake up in the morning be sure to thank that beautiful Steel Magnolia in your life. --W. James Wood
I had no idea it was this much work! But the six ladies we have cast make every rehearsal a great experience. They are funny, intelligent, and hardworking. They've made me laugh and cry and I know that their genuine, heartfelt performances will definitely take the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride. I would like to thank W. James Wood for asking me to and bright all the time, Danelle for being the perfect Shelby, Laurie for making M'Lynn so real we forget about the lady that played her in the movie (Sally...what's her name), Sandra for being such a smart aleck and Deb for her opinions and insight. Thank you so much! I had a blast!
Deborah Heller (Clairee) - Deb will soon be leaving Marshall, where she has been an Assistant Professor of Accounting for the past year, and moving with husband David to Annapolis, Maryland. Deb will certainly be missed by the Calumet Players, as she has been present on-stage in all but two productions over the past four years. Changes will also be occurring in Deb's family when son Adam marries Terri this summer. About this play, Deb says "I loved working with these ladies. We laughed a lot. I think the audience will enjoy the love these six women have fore each other." Watch for the humorous contrast of Deb's favorite the "Hit her" scene.
Laurie Ness (M'Lynn) - Laurie works as a Health Information Manager for the Pipestone County Medical Center, She is on-stage for the second time with the Calumet Players - following All My Sons (1998), her only other on-stage role since the seventh grade. Laurie will be cheered on by "professional audience member" and husband Chuck, fellow Calumet Players veteran and daughter Kate, and sons Tom and Andrew. Laurie has a variety of other interests including her involvement in the Quilters Guilt. Laurie says, "I have just loved working with the other actresses in this cast."
Sylvia Newell (Ouiser) - Sylvia has been involved in many aspects of Calumet Players productions as Board Member, producer, stage manager, and more. Her previous on-stage experience consists of Moon Over Buffalo (1999), Lend Me a Tenor (1998), I Hate Hamlet (1997), Ten Nights in a Barroom (1997), and Mornings at Seven (1995). Sylvia thanks her daughter and friend Katrina, who is her faithful line coach. Other family includes son Eric, his wife Heather, grandkids, a dramatic dog, and 3 character cats. When not on stage, Sylvia acts as the director of Progress, Inc in Pipestone. Sylvia has enjoyed watching this show develop - especially the casting of Annelle three times.
Stacy Ploeger (Truvy) - Stacy says about her first Calumet Players experience, "My favorite scenes are the ones when all six of the characters are on stage together. There is so much laughter and love." Indeed, fellow cast members find her smile contagious. Stacy and her husband Kurt are parents to son BJ (10) and daughter Kelsey (12). Stacy participates in the drama ministry at church and is interested in cooking, entertaining, cake decorating and camping. It is great having anew member to our group and to Pipestone.
Sandra Rieck (Annelle) - A native of Edgerton, Sandra has called Pipestone home for the past seven years. She enjoys spending time with family: husband Jamie, son Tyler (7), and daughter Darian (2). Sandra's other interests include playing volleyball and music. She works as an office assistant for American Family Insurance -John Whipple Agency. The Calumet Players are thrilled to have this new comer to our group. We are sure you'll enjoy her as Annelle and want to see her agina in future productions.
Danelle Wildermuth (Shelby) - Danelle is a freshman as Pipestone-Jasper High School, where she participates in basketball, softball, speech, jazz choir and drama. Family consists of dad Dan, mom Barb, and brother Nathan. Danelle's Calumet Players family has enjoyed watching her grow up on-stage. Previous productions include Ten Nights in a Barroom (1997), Quilters (1998), and She Loves Me (1999). Danelle has also been involved in numerous Children's Theater and Pipestone-Jasper High School productions. Danelle is a member of the Al Opland Singers and member of the 1999 Anaerusis Choir.
W. James Wood (Director) - Although James is new to the Calumet Players, he is no stranger to theater. Jim has tried his hand at the many aspects of scene design, construction, acting and of course, directing (which is his BFA degree from USD). Jim has also tested his hand at playwriting; he has completed two plays - a comedy and a drama which he hopes to produced in the area. Jim would like to dedicate this show to his parents, Bill and Sandy, without whom he wouldn't be able to live his dream.
Ryan Reider (Stage Manager) - Ryan is a self-proclaimed expert on the film and stage versions of Rober Harling's Steel Magnolias. "I have nost of the lines memorize,' he says. "Ouiser is my favorite character, she speaks her mind without caring what others may think, and that is precisely why her friends lover her." This is Mr. Reider's first experience with community theatre. In his time away from this production Ryan is writing his first novel, working part-time at Cover to Cover and is the assistant manager at Oak & More in Sioux Falls, SD
This production is made possible in part by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities council (SMAHC) with funds provided by the State Legislature.