STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comes to The Dio

The Dio - Dining & Entertainment, Livingston County's professional, award winning dinner theatre, is excited to launch their sixth season of shows with the popular American play, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Steve DeBruyne.

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 assisatant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire; Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; 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 the spunky Shelby risks a pregnancy which may forfeit her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the ladies, but also draws on the underlying strength - and love - which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Director Steve DeBruyne says, "Through our rehearsal process, I've watched the women of our cast and creative team draw closely together, forming bonds of love and friendship that mirrored those we see on stage. This story seems to have a power to do that. It calls forth emotions that echo those that forge lasting friendships in life, and I'm honored that these talented ladies allowed me to be a part of that."

Steel Magnolias features performances by Carrie Sayer, McKayla Menzel, Olive Hayden-Moore, Molly Cunningham, Wendy Katz Hiller and Kathleen Wilmoth.

Performances take place at The Dio, 177 E. Main Street, Pinckney Michigan, 48169 from February 1 through March 3, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. There will be two weekday evening performances, Thursday, January 31 and Thursday, February 28.

All tickets include dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. The menu for Steel Magnolias includes sweet and savory broccoli and cauliflower salad with red grapes, black olives, mayo and balsamic vinegar, red beans and rice, savory slow cooked collared greens, grilled pork chops in a hand selected blend of herbs and spices, and The Dio's signature boneless chicken, hand breaded and fried to a golden brown.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting diotheatre.com or by calling (517) 672-6009. Seating is limited. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

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