The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) will hold auditions on Feb. 4 and Feb. 6 for the play, Steel Magnolias at The Plaza Arts Center theater in Eatonton. Sunday’s auditions will be 3-4:30 p.m., with Tuesday’s scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m.
The women in this play are witty, intelligent, and above all, real people with interesting personality traits. They have a love of life and take on its challenges with enthusiastic gusto.
The cast consists of six females, aged 19 to 60s.
Since many women do not look their age, all are encouraged to audition, regardless of age. PAPA welcomes newcomers and its directors are committed to helping all cast members who are willing to work hard and learn.
Rehearsals typically are scheduled three times per week according to the work and activity schedules of the cast and directors.
Late-evening rehearsals are avoided as much as possible.
Written in 1986 by Robert Harling following the death of his sister, Steel Magnolias was first performed on stage as a 1987 off-Broadway production in New York. The play proved to have great appeal, movie rights were quickly secured, and Harling helped write the script for a 1989 movie of the same name.
The story takes place in Truvy’s beauty salon in fictional Chinquapin, La., where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. The characters are right out of a southern community of close friends who know each other well enough to speak their minds.
Helped by her eager new assistant, Annell, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoo and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ousier.
Another eccentric client is millionaire Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth and also is the local social leader.
Meanwhile, M’Lynn worries about what might go wrong as her daughter Shelby, “the prettiest girl in town,” is about to marry a “good ole boy.”
Filled with hilarious repartee and many acerbic and humorously revealing verbal collisions, Steel Magnolias moves toward tragedy when the spunky Shelby risks pregnancy and her life for marriage and family. The sudden realization of mortality affects the others, while also drawing out their underlying strength and love.
Steel Magnolias will be directed by long-time PAPA directors and producers Dennis and Dottie McClain, with performance dates yet to be confirmed but expected for the second half of April. For additional information, call 706-473-0326 to speak with Dottie McClain.