Celebrate Strength in Sisterhood in Steel Magnolias At MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre

Eavesdrop on small town gossip, playful bickering, and the triumphs and tragedies of six Southern women when "Steel Magnolias" comes to Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. The Pennington Players presents this powerful story of strength and friendship Fridays, March 25 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, March 26 and April 2 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, March 27 and April 3 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on March 25.

Set in Truvy's Beauty Shop in the fictional town of Chinquapin, La., "Steel Magnolias" follows the lives of six resilient women as they share their personal triumphs, tragedies, beauty tips, recipes and more. From the mundane to the essential, they face their challenges with grace, strength - and perfectly done hair! This 1987 award-winning play by playwright Robert Harling began as a short story, but evolved into a full-length drama that delves into the characters' complex relationships and emotions. A star-studded, Oscar-nominated film version was released in 1989.

The all-female cast of six includes: Malissa Arnold, of Lawrenceville, as the good-natured beauty-shop owner, Truvy; Morgan Petronis, of Delran, as her apprentice beautician, Annelle; Bobbi Mendel of Falls Township, Pa., as the cantankerous town eccentric, Ouiser; Eve Connolly, of Lawrenceville, as the former First Lady of Chinquapin Parrish, Clairee; Laurie Hardy, of Hamilton Township, as M'Lynn Eatonton; and Sally Page, of Princeton, as M'Lynn's daughter, Shelby.

The production team is also all women, including director and set designer Judi Parrish, of West Trenton, and producer Jenn Gregg of Ewing. Stage manager is Beverly Kuo-Hamilton, of Princeton. Lighting design is by M. Kitty Getlik, of Hamilton, and costume design is by Katie Cooper of Ewing. Props are by Dottie Farina of Hamilton and hair styling consultation is by Teri-Ann Exner of Robbinsville.

The Pennington Players have been entertaining local audiences since 1951. In 1964, it became the first group ever to perform at the Washington Crossing State Park Open Air Theatre. The Players take great pride in the many young people who have learned and grown with them and gone on to professional careers in theater.

Tickets are $14 for adults; $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available next to the theater.