Clear Space Theatre Company to Stage STEEL MAGNOLIAS, 2/6-22

Clear Space Theatre welcomes the cast of STEEL MAGNOLIAS to the stage for a three-weekend run February 6-22. Robert Harling's original 1987 play, written in memory of his sister Susan, was later made into the classic 1989 film of the same name.

The original play was based on experiences at the death of his sister Susan. The action focuses on the relationship of six women over a span of two years as they gather at Truvy's beauty salon in the fictional town of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana.

The Clear Space production features Stephanie Allman as "Clairee", Katharine Ariyan ("Shelby"), AEA actress Jann Ellis ("Ouiser"), Valorie Jarrell ("M'Lynn"), Cat Timko ("Annelle"), and Amy Warick ("Truvy").

Mother and daughter in real life, Valorie Jarrell and her daughter Katharine Ariyan also portray mother ("M'Lynn") and daughter ("Shelby") in the play. When Valorie Jarrell and her daughter first moved from the Philadelphia area, where the arts are abundant, she was looking for an outlet for her daughter in the arts and found a callout in the community to start a professional theatre company in southern Delaware. She attended this meeting and was on the ground floor of Clear Space's inception. Katharine, Jarrell's now 21 year-old daughter, joins us from Towson University where she will be graduating this fall. From the time her mother sought out the arts for her when she was 11 years-old, she's gone through Clear Space's original Broadway Bound, Broadway Bound ON TOUR, and Theatre Arts Academy (at Cape Henlopen High School) programs. As a true Clear Space success story, Ariyan easily fits into the professional theatre company, alongside her mother.

The production is directed by Clear Space Artistic Director David Button. As Button begins his new role as artistic director, he knows STEEL MAGNOLIAS will be a quality night at the theatre filled with love, laughter, and a few tears. "This is a show about relationships. It's about how the relationships we form in life transcend biology and how we create our own families."

STEEL MAGNOLIAS opens Friday, February 6 with a special opening night reception at 6:00p.m. and a talkback with the actor and production staff following. The production continues through Sunday, February 22 with shows on Friday and Saturdays at 7:00p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00p.m. with an extra weekday matinee on Thursday, February 12 at 11a.m. Call Melody in the CSTC box office at 302.227.2270, or purchase tickets online at www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org.

Photo Credit: David Button