New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Full of Shampoo and Sass, "Steel Magnolias" Takes the Stage at Kelsey Theatre in October

originally published: 09/24/2024


(TOP) Kimmie Fetters of Asbury Park, NJ; Linda Cunningham of Yardley, PA; Christina Parke of Hamilton Township, NJ; Eve Connolly and (BOTTOM) Perry Zavetz and Maggie Gronenthal, all of Lawrenceville, NJ

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Shampoo, free advice, and witty repartee fills the air at Truvy's beauty salon when the Yardley Players present Steel Magnolias October 4-13, 2024 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC). The play explores the relationships between a tight-knit group of Louisiana southern ladies who gather in Truvy's small-town beauty parlor, celebrating the milestones in each other's lives.

Truvy’s is where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done, including the town’s rich curmudgeon, an eccentric millionaire, and the local social leader. Filled with acerbic but humorous verbal collisions, “Steel Magnolias” is both touching and funny while exemplifying the universal and unconditional strengths of sisterhood, resilience, and love.

Steel Magnolias was written by Robert Harling, based on his experience with his sister's death. The play opened Off-Broadway in 1987 — closing after 1,126 performances — and made its Broadway debut in 2005. It was also adapted as a 1989 film starring Julia Roberts, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The ensemble cast features Christina Parke of Hamilton Township, N.J., as M’Lynn; Kimmie Fetters of Asbury Park, N.J., as Truvy; Linda Cunningham of Yardley, Pa., as Clairee; and Maggie Gronenthal as Shelby, Perry Zavetz as Annelle, and Eve Connelly as Ouiser, all of Lawrenceville, N.J.

Steel Magnolias is produced and stage managed by Marge Swider of Langhorne, Pa., and directed by Liz Wurtz of Levittown, Pa. Set design is by Shawn Simmons of Hamilton, N.J., costumes by Anthony Wurtz of Levittown, lighting by M. Kitty Getlik of Hamilton, N.J., sound by Tiernan Stover of Titusville, N.J., and program by Kristy Davis of Newtown, Pa.

Performances take place Friday, October 4 and October 11, and Saturday, October 5 at 8:00pm; Saturday, October 12 at 2:00pm; and Sunday, October 6 and October 13 at 2:00pm at the Kelsey Theatre on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for children and students, and may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - noon, at (609) 570-3333. 

Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theatre. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky





You can have your events spotlighted here, whenever someone reads an article about WEST WINDSOR

click here for more information


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse's 2026 Gala Benefit on Wednesday, May 6th will honor Emily Mann, playwright and former Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre Center, with the Arthur Laurents Award for Distinguished Artistic Achievement. This distinguished honor has only been awarded twice before in George Street Playhouse's over 50-year history.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Meredith Willson

State Theatre New Jersey presents Meredith Willson's The Music Man

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Meredith Willson's The Music Man for four performances from May 8-10, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian.
Class Act Performing Arts Studio presents "Wizard of Oz" at SOPAC

Class Act Performing Arts Studio presents "Wizard of Oz" at SOPAC

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Class Act Performing Arts Studio presents Wizard of Oz at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) from May 8-10, 2026. We're off to see the wizard! Follow the yellow brick road to the SOPAC stage for a delightful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the classic MGM film.
bergenPAC

bergenPAC's Performing Arts School to Hold Auditions for "Annie"

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- This summer, bergenPAC's Performing Arts School will light up the Taub Stage with the beloved Broadway classic Annie, running July 31 through August 2, 2026. Auditions for the production will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Digital audition submissions will also be accepted now through May 13th. Callbacks will be on May 20th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Burlington County Footlighters presents "The Pirates of Penzance"

Burlington County Footlighters presents "The Pirates of Penzance"

(CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents The Pirates of Penzance across three weekends from May 1-16, 2026. This is a swashbuckling operetta full of hilarity, hijinks, and heart. It features Book and Lyrics by William Gilbert; Music by Arthur Sullivan.
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th

The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th

(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 New Play Readings series will present a staged reading of Jack McGrath's House Rules on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. The play tells the story of Bobby Ray – a man who has walked across America to return "home" to try and avert a family tragedy. The problem is that the family he returns to refuses to recognize him, and his homecoming has come 10 years too late.
Stage Players presents "Alice By Heart"

Stage Players presents "Alice By Heart"

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Stage Players (ages 13-17) at Haddonfield Plays and Players presents Alice By Heart from May 14-16, 2026 at Haddonfield Methodist Church. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Pippin"

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Pippin"

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is proud to announce the full cast for its upcoming production of Pippin, running May 8–17, 2026. From Stephen Schwartz, the renowned creator of Wicked, comes a dazzling and thought-provoking musical about a young man's journey to find purpose.
Blue Moon Theatre presents "Glengarry Glen Ross" by David Mamet

Blue Moon Theatre presents "Glengarry Glen Ross" by David Mamet

(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- Blue Moon Theatre presents Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet across two weekends from May 8-17, 2026. Get ready for a high-octane evening of desperation, greed, and the cutthroat pursuit of the American Dream.
Villagers Theatre presents "On Time" by Wesley Cappiello

Villagers Theatre presents "On Time" by Wesley Cappiello

(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents On Time by Wesley Cappiello across two weekends from May 8-17, 2026. In this gay epic spanning 160 years, the play follows five couples, weaving together moments of love, heartbreak, and survival across centuries.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage








 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info