NCT's Steel Magnolias Is Sweet, Subtle, and Sublimely Touching

The North Carolina Theatre's Nov. 4-6 and 8-13 presentation, directed by Lauren Kennedy Brady, stars (from left) Felicia Finley as Truvy,
Alison Fraser as Clairee, Kathleen Garrett as Ouiser, Carly Grissom as Annelle, Meadow Nguy as Shelby, and Angela Pierce as M'Lynn

Robert Harling wrote his sweetly Southern play Steel Magnolias back in 1987. However, most people familiar with the story know it because of the 1989 film version, starring such legends as Julia Roberts, Sally Field, and Dolly Parton. And, in many ways, the North Carolina Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias, onstage through Sunday, Nov. 13th, in the intimate A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater and directed by Lauren Kennedy Brady, pays homage to the film.

Many of the costumes are reminiscent of those worn by the film's actors; and Felicia Finley, who plays Truvy, is a dead ringer for Dolly Parton, not just in looks but in voice as well. Still, though, this production manages to shine all on its own. Its wit, charm, and resonance are proof of dramatist Robert Harling's genius and the timelessness of his writing, and the talented female cast breathes new life into this beloved classic.

The story starts in the same place it will end -- Truvy's beauty shop. Indeed, it's the spot where all of the onstage action, if you can call it that, takes place. Harling's script bravely relies solely on the strength of its incredible dialogue, so audience members hear, through conversation, about things that have transpired. That's not to say, though, there isn't a lot to see here. Director Lauren Kennedy Brady has her actors walking all around the beauty shop, gesturing, curling hair, hugging, and so much more. They are vibrant, alive, and not at all confined by the unchanging set.

NCT's production of Steel Magnolias, directed by Lauren Kennedy Brady, stars Felicia Finley (top)
as Truvy and Meadow Nguy as Shelby (photo by Curtis Brown Photography/Eugene Shlapko)

Of course, characters like these can't help but jump off the stage. There's the dynamic Truvy, of course, but there are also the women who spend time in her shop and share their lives, dreams, and dramas with one another. There's sweet, hopeful Shelby (Meadow Nguy), who is struggling with diabetes and the limitations that the disease puts on her dreams.

Then, there's her disapproving-but-loving mother M'Lynn (Angela Pierce). They're joined by the new-in-town Annelle, perfectly portrayed by Carly Grissom, and best friends Clairee (Alison Fraser) and Ouiser (Kathleen Garrett). Over the course of two hours, these women pour their hearts out to each other as their lives evolve and change, drawing the audience in for a touching, funny, and gripping emotional roller-coaster.

The North Carolina Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias, playing through Sunday, Nov. 13th, in the
Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh's Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, stars Meadow Nguy
(top) as Shelby and Angela Pierce as M'Lynn (photo by Curtis Brown Photography/Eugene Shlapko)

The production moves smoothly from one scene to the next, with only small, simple changes to signify the passing of time. These touches, like the production itself, are subtle but powerful. Nothing is cluttered or overdone. Instead, Robert Harling's gorgeous writing is allowed to take center stage; and honestly, this play is one of the few that works best without a lot of fancy touches. That's not to say, however, that the production lacks thought or attention to detail. It has those things in spades. The gleaming set and 1980s costumes transport viewers back to a time when people were more connected, when they swapped recipes and shared magazine clippings, and the actors nail both the comedy and the sentimentality that are the hallmarks of the story.

Meadow Nguy is sweet and oh-so-vulnerable as Shelby, and her chemistry with Angela Pierce as M'Lynn helps to create a believable mother-daughter dynamic. Similarly, Alison Fraser as Clairee and Kathleen Garrett as Ouiser play off of each other well and infuse humor in all the right places. Fraser, in particular, has a penchant for comedy and knows exactly when to draw out a line or make a face to drive the joke home.

Felicia Finley as Truvy brings the sass the script calls for, and Carly Grissom truly shines as the trying-to-find-her-way Annelle. Her version of the character is perfectly imperfect, questioning, and ever-observant and alert. Together, these actors create the strong, multifaceted women that Harling intended all along.

Alison Fraser (left) and Kathleen Garrett star as Clairee and Ouiser in the North Carolina Theatre's Nov. 4-6
and 8-13 presentation of Steel Magnolias (photo by Curtis Brown Photography/Eugene Shlapko)

These are women you wish that you knew in real life and who are, at the same time, reminiscent of real-life acquaintances. They allow you to admire Shelby's strength and stubbornness while, at the same time, appreciating and understanding M'Lynn's care and concern. In short, they do Harling's characters the beautiful justice that they deserve, which is no easy feat. Subtle lighting touches, dedicated direction, and even careful music choices also serve to bring this ageless classic to life.

Just as, no matter what happens in life, these women return to Truvy's, audience members will want to return to Steel Magnolias again and again. Unfortunately, though, there's only a limited time to see NCT's beautiful version of the play, so don't wait. Get your tickets and travel back to 1980s Chinquapin, Louisiana. It's a wonderful place to be.

The North Carolina Theatre's Nov. 4-13 production of Steel Magnolias stars Angela Pierce (left) as
M'Lynn and Felicia Finley as Truvy (photo by Curtis Brown Photography/Eugene Shlapko)

Robert Harling's STEEL MAGNOLIAS (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5, 6, and 8-13), directed by Lauren Kennedy Brady and starring Felicia Finley as Truvy Jones, Alison Fraser as Clairee Belcher, Kathleen Garrett as Ouiser Boudreaux, Carly Grissom as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Meadow Nguy as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, and Angela Pierce as M'Lynn Eatenton DIGITAL PLAYBILL: https://nctheatre.com/sites/nct/files/2022_SteelMagnolias_WebRev.pdf. VIDEOS: https://www.facebook.com/nctheatre/videos/. NCT NEWS RELEASE: https://nctheatre.com/blog/meet-ladies-who-are-delicate-magnolias-and-tough-steel. 2022-23 SEASON: https://nctheatre.com/show-season/202021-season. (North Carolina Theatre in the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh). THE PRESENTER: https://nctheatre.com/, https://www.facebook.com/nctheatre, https://www.instagram.com/nctheatre/, https://twitter.com/nctheatre, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Theatre, and https://www.youtube.com/user/nctheatre. THE VENUE: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/venues, https://www.facebook.com/DECRaleigh, https://www.instagram.com/DECRaleigh/, https://twitter.com/DECRaleigh, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUCPC9naUI3G8vHw0K8Qnew. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/getting-duke-energy-center. KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO INFORMATION: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/know-before-you-go-information. THE PLAY: https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=1063, http://www.iobdb.com/Production/551, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/steel-magnolias-386797, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Magnolias_(play). THE SCRIPT (excerpts): https://books.google.com/books. THE PLAYWRIGHT: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0363326/, http://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/5616, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/robert-harling-392114, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Harling_(writer). TICKETS: $23.67 and up, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): 919-831-6941 or groups@nctheatre.com. INFORMATION: 919-831-6941 or boxoffice@nctheatre.com. DONATE TO: North Carolina Theatre. Susie Potter's Triangle Arts Review Review.

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