'Steel Magnolias' at Paper Mill to Star Bishop, Fowler, Wetherhead

BroadwayWorld has learned the complete cast details of Paper Mill Playhouse's up-coming production of Steel Magnolias, to begin at their Millburn Theatre on Wednesday, March 5; officially opening Sunday March 9 at 7:30PM with performances through April 6.

The cast of Steel Magnolias will star Kelly Bishop as Clairee, Charlotte Booker as Truvy, Beth Fowler as Ouiser, Monique Fowler as M'Lynn, Kelly Sullivan as Shelby and Kate Wetherhead as Annelle.

"The quintessential story of friendship, Steel Magnolias serves up a slice of life in Louisiana that's as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie.  In the haven of Truvy's beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets and bare their souls, throwing in a little neighborly gossip for good measure.  From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they weather every event in their lives en masse with grace, determination, and perfectly coifed hair. When tragedy strikes, it is in the familiar comfort of Truvy's salon where they seek the solace and support that carries them through.  Robert Harling's enduring comedy is a heart-felt celebration of love, loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood."

Kelly Bishop is most noted on Broadway Tony Award-winning role as Sheila in the original cast of A Chorus Line.  She is also recognized for her star-turn in Dirty Dancing and the popular TV-series "Gilmore Girls." Her previous Broadway credits include original roles in plays such as Six Degrees of Separation, Proposals and The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Charlotte Booker appeared in the 1989 Broadway revival of Born Yesterday. Her Off-Broadway credits include Deathbed and Fugue. Her film credits include Love & Support and Temporary Girl, with TV appearances in "Law and Order," "The Norm Show," and "Chicago Hope."

Tony-nominated Beth Fowler recently starred in the Broadway-bound musical Cry-Baby and appeared in the York Theatre Company's Zorba. She recently appeared on Broadway in Inherit the Wind and was in the original casts of The Boy from Oz, Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Baby and A Little Night Music; plus revivals of Sweeney Todd (1989), Bells Are Ringing (2001) and Peter Pan (1979).

Monique Fowler recently starred in the world premiere of To The Lighthouse at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Her New York credits include You Can't Take It With You on Broadway and The Skin Game off-Broadway. She is an associate artist of the Old Globe Theatre.

Kelly Sullivan has performed on Broadway in the casts of Contact and Bells Are Ringing (2001); Off-Broadway cast of Burleigh Grime$.

Kate Wetherhead recently starred on Broadway as the studious Kate and hair-tragic Chutney in Legally Blonde.  She was also an understudy for the original cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  Off-Broadway: Sarah, Plain and Tall, Cam Jansen and The Summer of Swans.

The performance schedule for the 2007-2008 season at Paper Mill Playhouse is: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM and Sundays at 2PM & 7:30PM. 

Tickets range $25-$92. Tickets may be purchased by calling (973) 376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.

top-bottom: Kelly Bishop (photo by Linda Lenzi); Beth Fowler (photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy); Kate Wetherhead

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