Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Hale Centre, Gilbert, Arizona

This production runs through November 21, 2023.

By: Sep. 26, 2023
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Hale Centre, Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert Arizona’s lovely Hale Theatre opened Robert Harling’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS Tuesday, September 19, with shows running through November 21, 2023. Tickets are available on Monday and Tuesday evenings, with some additional 4:00 pm matinee shows. This show is produced by David and Corrin Dietlein and directed by Jere Van Patten. Many talented stage and costume designers take us to Chinqaupin Parish, Louisiana to drop in and get to know some quirky Southern ladies.

Spanning a few years, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is the story of a close-knit group of women who really let their hair down at the Truvy Jones’s beauty shop. From the hairspray to the staged props above the four wings, it is easy to see ourselves as customers, or passersby, looking into the shop—and lives—of these life-long friends.

The movements and expressions of Lana Shumway as Truvy, and Kathleen Richards as the combative Ouiser Boudeaux, are very funny. We see growth and character development from the young bride Shelby, played by Diana Stapley, and Annelle, portrayed by Kamie Tierce. Clairee Belcher, the mayor’s widow, is a dignified character played by Polly Chapman, who slyly joins in the fun without diluting her dignity.

Linsey Maxson displays a wide range of emotions throughout as M’Lynn Eatenton, the mother of the bride: at times playful, yet uptight and bossy with Shelby, and then devastated by her loss in the last act. Scene 2 in Act 2 moved me to tears.

In-the-round theaters must adapt the stage to the play, or the play to the stage. Though the actors move around facing all directions, the audience seated on the ‘back’ (north) side viewed the actors’ backsides a bit more than I would’ve liked. That’s always a challenge with a round stage. Fortunately, there is enough movement to keep it interesting, but the downside is that some of the movement comes across as artificial, given that women generally sit in a beauty parlor. There were magazines, coffee, and other homey touches in Truvy’s converted-garage beauty parlor, so props to the props for that.

Costumes, lighting, and audio were appropriate, but sometimes the actors either did not project their voices quite enough, or could have used more volume on their audio. There was an intermittent low hum, so I suspect an equipment problem. It seemed to occur mostly when two characters were in close contact.

Tickets are already limited for this wonderful show, so get yours as soon as you can.

BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Phoenix

1
Review: POTUS at Stray Cat Theatre Photo
Review: POTUS at Stray Cat Theatre

Selina Fillinger's POTUS, directed by Katie McFadzen, is fast-paced but leans too far into slapstick at the expense of nuance and its fuller potential at harpooning the patriarchy. At Stray Cat Theatre through December 16th.

2
Scottsdale Arts Celebrates Color With New Exhibition COLORLOVE Photo
Scottsdale Arts Celebrates Color With New Exhibition COLORLOVE

Scottsdale Public Art's newest exhibition, “COLORLOVE,” running Oct. 10 to Dec. 31 at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, celebrates the power of the full rainbow of colors.  

3
BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards December 5th Standings; LES MISERABLES Leads Best Musical! Photo
BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards December 5th Standings; LES MISERABLES Leads Best Musical!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

4
Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Arizona Broadway Theatre Photo
Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Arizona Broadway Theatre

The spirit of the Yuletide season is in full and pleasurable bloom at Arizona Broadway Theatre with the company’s sparkling production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, directed by Rob Watson. The show runs through December 30th.

From This Author - Suzanne Whitaker

Suzanne Whitaker is a Georgia native now living in Arizona. She is a retired sailor - Go Navy! - and retired attorney, arbitrator, and mediator. A fan of the stage since before she can remember, Suzan... Suzanne Whitaker">(read more about this author)

Videos


POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE in Phoenix POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE
Stray Cat Theatre (12/01-12/16)Tracker
New Guard Big Band: Hello Winter  in Phoenix New Guard Big Band: Hello Winter
MCC Performing Arts Center (12/19-12/19)
She Loves Me in Phoenix She Loves Me
Starlight Community Theater (12/01-12/17)
A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail  in Phoenix A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail
Valley Youth Theatre (12/01-12/23)
The World According to Snoopy in Phoenix The World According to Snoopy
Valley Youth Theatre (4/05-4/21)
It's a Wonderful Life in Phoenix It's a Wonderful Life
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (11/16-12/30)
7 Kimono Styling Tricks Show in Phoenix 7 Kimono Styling Tricks Show
Breathing Storytellers (4/28-6/07)
Romeo & Juliette in Phoenix Romeo & Juliette
Symphony Hall (3/02-3/03)
Peter and the Starcatcher in Phoenix Peter and the Starcatcher
Valley Youth Theatre (2/09-2/25)
The Barber of Seville in Phoenix The Barber of Seville
Symphony Hall (1/27-1/28)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You