STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens April 13 At Gallery Players

This April Gallery Players brings their production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS to the stage on the 30th anniversary of the release of the film of the same name. Written by playwright Robert Harling in just 10 days as a tribute to his sister Susan, STEEL MAGNOLIAS examines the relationships between a tight-knit group of southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor who witness the milestones in each other's lives. The play is alternately hilarious and touching-and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters. The title suggests the main female characters can be both as delicate as the magnolia flower and as tough as steel, and the play's complexities will move the audience to both laughter and tears.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS originally opened in 1987 Off-Broadway at the WPA Theater in NYC with an all-female cast (the lone male voice comes intermittently from the radio DJ). Harling wanted the audience to have a true representation of what his family endured during his sister's experience, and all of the characters are composites of people he knew growing up in a small town in Louisiana. While never revealing the identity of the woman whom the crotchety but lovable curmudgeon, Ouiser Boudreaux, was based on, people would proudly claim that she was based on them. Gallery Players' production is true to the original with an all-female cast set in a 1980s southern beauty parlor, built in fine detail and authenticity on the stage.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS opens Saturday, April 13 and runs for 12 performances through April 28. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00PM, Saturdays (April 20 and 27) at 2:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00PM. There will be an artist talk back following the Sunday, April 21 performance.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors over 65 and children under 12. Tickets can be purchased online at http://galleryplayers.com or by calling Ovationtix at 212-352-3101.

Bringing STEEL MAGNOLIAS to the Gallery stage are: Dominic Cuskern and Marty Goldin, co-producers; Avital Asuleen, director; Jerry Mittelhauser, scenic designer; Eve Bandi, lighting designer; Joseph Shrope, costume designer; Daniel Lynn Evans, hair/wig designer; Megan McQueeney, props designer; Jeffrey Salerno, sound designer; Danaya Esperanza, dialect coach; Eoghan Hartley, stage manager; Brigid Clary, assistant stage manager; and an ensemble featuring Madeline Brennan, Justine Campbell-Elliott, Alexandra Fortin, Kevin Michael Morin, Judy Kurtz Polcer, Katy Wilson, and Melodie Wolford* (*Equity member appearing with permission of Actors' Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production).

STEEL MAGNOLIAS is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Approved Actors' Equity Association showcase.

The upcoming Gallery season includes:

SPRING AWAKENING, music by Duncan Sheik; book & lyrics by Steven Sater: May 18 - June 9

The Gallery Players is located at 199 14th Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues), in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Take the F, G, or R train to 4th Avenue / 9th Street. Website: http://galleryplayers.com