Steel Magnolias at Tipping Point Theatre

"Grief, giant perms and southern charm" (The Times) are on full display in Robert Harling’s classic play. 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 forty years"); 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, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, 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.

Based on author Robert Harling's real-life observations of his mother's and sister's weekly "disappearances" into the "forbidden world" of the neighborhood beauty salon, Harling recalled that the women seemed to emerge from the salon transformed--not only in physical appearance but spiritually, holistically, having shared a secret, sacred space with other women. The beauty salon was a world that embodied "feminine mystique" in a way that was simply alien to men. 

TPT will host a very special opening night pre-glow reception on Saturday, March 15th beginning at 5 p.m. in the lobby preceding the 6 p.m. performance. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be provided by Northville restaurant Genitti's Hole in the Wall free of charge to all patrons with tickets to the March 15th performance.

Authors

• Robert Harling