In the midst of a long and bitterly cold winter, Erin Theatre is offering to transport theatergoers to the warmth, gentility and hospitality of Louisiana.
Inspired by actual events, Steel Magnolias was written by Robert Harling as a heart-warming tribute to the memory of his sister, Susan. The play was made into an award-winning film in 1989.
Set in the 1980s in the southern comfort of Truvy’s Beauty Salon in Chinquapin Parish, six very different women – a naïve ingénue, a cranky millionaire, a romance-craving salon owner, a wickedly funny widow, a headstrong bride–to-be along with her controlled and controlling mama – gather to indulge in bizarre local gossip, feisty verbal collisions, startling revelations, hysterical repartee and of course, big hair.
As seasons pass and life evolves these women are thrown a major curve ball. With grace, loyalty, strength and determination these “Steel Magnolias” face the challenges and delightful eccentricities of real life with aplomb and laugh-out-loud antics.
Performances run during the last two weeks of March at Centre 2000 theatre in Erin: March 20 to 22 and 26 to 29 at 8pm with matinees on March 22 and 29 at 2pm.
All proceeds from the March 26 performance will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). A complimentary reception will follow that performance where Avery Morris, manager of JDRF Fundraising and Development, will host a “Q&A” session exposing common myths about diabetes.
All performance tickets are $20 and $15 for seniors, students or groups of 10 or more, and can be purchased at The Friendly Chef Adventures (formerly What’s Cookin’) at 98 Main Street in the village of Erin. Call 519-833-0909. Cash only at the box office.
Note: The March 22 matinee is a Red Hat Ladies performance. For more information visit www.erintheatre.ca.
