"Steel Magnolias"

April 2006

THE MINSTREL PLAYERS PRESENT ROBERT HARLING'S BELOVED SOUTHERN COMEDY/DRAMA "STEEL MAGNOLIAS" 

WRITTEN BY ROBERT HARLING AND DIRECTED BY FOUNDING MINSTREL - RAY PALEN AT HOUGHTON HALL THEATRE.

The Minstrel Players Theatre Company of Northport prepare for their spring production of Robert Harling's beloved Southern Comedy/Drama, "Steel Magnolias". Performances begin on June 10th and run through June 25th at Houghton Hall Theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street in scenic Northport Village. Performances will take place on Saturdays, June 10th, 17th and 24th at 8 P.M. and Sundays, June 18th and 25th at 3 P.M. The performance on Saturday June 17th will be a special Dinner Theatre production with dinner beginning at 6:30 P.M.

The Minstrel Players are fresh off their critically acclaimed staging of Neil Simon's "Come Blow Your Horn" seen here in February. "Steel Magnolias" features the directorial return of Ray Palen, who has not directed since "Don't Drink the Water" in the winter of 2005. The all-female cast features: Irene Hourigan (Ouiser), Tara Lawrence (Truvy), Aamira Martinez (Shelby), Karen Ottomano (M'Lynn), and Roseann Baldanza (Clairee) represent the principals in this production. The action of Harling's "Steel Magnolias" is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser; an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby, is about to marry a "good ole boy". Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, the spunky Shelby (who is diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength- and love - which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

The Minstrel Players are committed to bringing "World Class", affordable theater to the Long Island Region. Tickets are $14.00 each and $12.00 for Seniors/Children under 12. Opening Night special features all seats at $10 each. Dinner Theatre tickets are $30 each. For more information please call (800)260-2390 or (631)754-4246. You may also visit the Minstrel Player's official website at www.minstrelplayers.org. Hope to see you at the show!

###

June 2006

Posted on Deb's Web
ONE PERSON'S (RE)VIEW

D. Joseph Gleason at the Minstrel Players
Really Fantastic
I had the pleasure of seeing the Minstrel Players presentation of "Steel Magnolias." I was
afraid I would be in for the ultimate chick flick when my wife dragged me to it. Much to my
surprise, I kind of gained a better insight to some of the discussions that can take place in
a beauty shop especially among the "regulars". The set was very well done and very
convincing, giving me a true impression of the inside of a shop. (Now I know why real men
avoid them). The cast was superb and right on the mark. Special kudos have to go out to
Ouiser (Irene Hourigan) who ended up being the butt of jokes and handled her part extremely
well. I wonder if she is like that in real life. The kudos also go out to M'Lynn (Karen Ottomano).
M'Lynn is definitely the quintessential southern lady and devoted mother to Shelby. This is
definitely a show that must be seen to appreciate fine community theatre. To my wife: Thank
you for insisting I see this show.

Linda Randolph at the Minstrel Players
The Minstrel Players of Northport have put together a wonderful show in "Steel Magnolias". The
characters all blend in a comic and sad story which centers around a young woman whose life
touches many in a short time. Tara Lawrence brings warmth & enthusiasm to the part of the
gum-chewing beauty salon owner with big hair, high heels and glasses on a chain.  Karen Ottomano,
as M'Lynn, has a poignant heart-rending scene which brings tears to the collective audience eye.
Irene Hourigan is totally entertaining as the brash Ouizer. Kudos to Director Ray Palen and the
entire cast and crew. This delightful play runs for two more weekends don't miss it!