Excellent Production of a Touching Story
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
There is nothing better than a good hairdresser. I know, I married mine 46 years ago, and have had my own exclusive hair care at home. But on the other hand, that means I’ve missed out on all the camaraderie at the beauty salon. Steel Magnolias, now on stage at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, is a shining example of women caring for each other.
The beauty salon is what brings them all together to laugh, gossip, bicker, and most importantly, support each other. They share their burdens, some are very funny, some are more serious.
We are taken back to 1987 when the play was written. (The movie, starring Sally Field and Julia Roberts was adapted and produced in 1989.) The story is set in a small town in Louisiana.
The play is actually better than the movie, probably because it is just six women and one set, a beauty salon. As a very compact play, each word is carefully chosen. There are some hilarious lines, and some very emotional parts, both done well in this tightly written script.
These magnolias are not fragile southern flowers; they are tough as steel. Truvy (Raquel Duffy) hires Annelle (Delinda Corpuz), a new stylist in her hair salon. Annelle is put to work right away because there is a big wedding in town. The bride, Shelby (Charlotte Dennis), her mother M’Lynn (Deborah Drakeford), their rough and ready neighbour Ouiser (Brenda Robins) and family friend Clairee (Carolyn Fe) are all getting their hair done. Shelby has diabetes, and has been told by her doctors that she shouldn’t have a baby. But by Christmas, Shelby comes home to announce that she is pregnant, much to her mother’s dismay. The hair salon crowd decides to ignore the doctor’s advice and celebrate the coming baby.
Spoiler Alert – skip the following paragraph if you don’t know the ending.
Eighteen months later we learn that the pregnancy has damaged Shelby’s kidneys, and her mother decides to donate one of her kidneys to her daughter. But the organ transplant fails, and after slipping into a coma, Shelby dies. The friends rally to support each other.
This production of Steel Magnolias rates as one of the Capitol’s better shows. Credit goes to director Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster for this well-paced play. The actors have been well cast in their roles, each character distinct. The set is an excellent replica of a 1980s hair salon with décor details women would appreciate.
The audience favourite is the cantankerous Ouiser played by Brenda Robins. She delivers sharp come-backs and then carries on with her rants. Raquel Duffy shines as Truvy, the Dolly Parton character in the movie version. Like Dolly, she is very comfortable in the role and natural in her presentation. She has obviously had some hairdressing lessons, as she easily delivers her lines while teasing hair.
Belinda Corpuz plays the new hairdresser working for Truvy. Her character Annelle starts out as a shy and nervous newcomer, then blossoming with confidence, and next undergoing a religious conversion, turning into a devout Evangelical praying for her friends. Corpuz portrays all three extreme characterizations comfortably.
Charlotte Dennis is excellent as the charming but headstrong bride Shelby, while Deborah Drake is very good playing her mother, M’Lynn. The two clash as a mother and daughter would, but also are able to show their love and affection for each other through the difficult times. Carolyn Fe is very entertaining as Clairee, the senior of the group, often offering wise counsel. Unfortunately, at times her voice was difficult to hear, perhaps made fainter by her southern drawl.
The sponsor for this production is Atelier on John. On opening night, theatre goers received a package of tissues from their business. I certainly needed them for the heart-breaking conclusion, and since I knew the story, I didn’t think I would need them. But this cast got to me. A very touching story, very well presented.
This is well-suited for a ladies’ night out; however, men can enjoy the laughs and sorrows, too. Even if you’ve seen the movie or the play before, it’s well worth another visit to Louisiana. If you haven’t seen Steel Magnolias, this is a must.
Steel Magnolias continues at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope until August 3, 2025. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 905-885-1071 or visiting https://capitoltheatre.com/
Photo: Raquel Duffy as Truvy, Charlotte Dennis as Shelby, Belinda Corpuz as Annelle, and Carolyn Fe as Clairee in Steel Magnolias. Photo by Sam Moffatt, Maverick Media Collective
Steel Magnolias
By Robert Harling
Directed by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster
Performed by Raquel Duffy, Belinda Corpuz, Carolyn Fe, Charlotte Dennis, Deborah Drakeford, Brenda Robins.
Capitol Theatre, 20 Queen St, Port Hope
July 18 to August 3, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson