originally published: 09/15/2012
(Beach Haven, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre, continues its 2012 season with Robert Harling's award-winning comedy Steel Magnolias, from September 20 through October 7. Directed by Robin Irwin, Steel Magnolias stars Mary Ellen Ashley (Ouiser), Alliy Dragos (Annelle), Jennifer Drew (Shelby), Kristen Marie (Truvy), Georgette Timoney (M'Lynn) and Marsha Waterbury (Clairee).
The quintessential story of friendship and trust, Steel Magnolias chronicles the lives and friendships of six women in Louisiana. Supporting each other through their triumphs and tragedies, they congregate at Truvy's Beauty Shop to ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands, children, - and hair and nails -- all the important topics that truly unite and celebrate women.
Surflight's Steel Magnolias design team includes Kevin Allen (set and lighting), Rachel Guilfoyle (costumes), Alan Douches (sound), Dee Spencer (hair) and Theresa McKenzie (props). Kevin Clutz is production stage manager.
Playwright Robert Harling was an aspiring actor when he wrote Steel Magnolias to cope with the death of his beloved sister. The original production of Steel Magnolias opened Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in March, 1987, and quickly transferred to the Lucille Lortel Theatre where it played 1,126 performances. The popular 1989 film version starred Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis. The play has proved to be so popular a 2005 Broadway production starred Delta Burke, Christine Ebersole, Marsha Mason and Frances Sternhagen.
Although best known for his play and screenplay of Steel Magnolias, Harling is also a writer, producer and film director. He has authored the screenplays The First Wives Club, Soapdish and Laws of Attraction. He most recently served as producer and writer of ABC-TV's GCB that starred Kristin Chenoweth.
Surflight Theatre, 201 Engleside Avenue, is located in historic Beach Haven, New Jersey. Steel Magnolias performances are Thursday, September 20 at 2pm and 8pm; Friday, September 21 at 8pm; Saturday, September 22 at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, September 23 at 2pm; Tuesday, September 25 at 2pm; Wednesday, September 26 at 2pm and 8pm; Thursday, September 27 at 8pm; Friday, September 28 at 2pm; Saturday, September 29 at 2pm; Wednesday, October 3 at 2pm; Thursday, October 4 at 2pm and 8pm; Friday, October 5 at 8pm; Saturday, October 6 at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, October 7 at 2pm. Tickets are $36-$54. Tickets are available online atwww.surflight.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Surflight box office, or by phone at 609-492-9477.
