by Annie Davis

The scene is a beauty shop, 1987, Louisiana. The ladies come on Saturday not just for beautification and hair-do’s, but for friendship. The play Steel Magnolias, now in performance by the Milton Players, is a 6-woman ensemble piece on a single set, Truvy’s beauty parlor. It is about friendship, emotion, life journeys, and we wish for such friends as these.

The Milton Players convey the personalities and story with humor and poignancy. These ladies form a close-knit group. One character describes it as “laughter through tears is my favorite emotion. . .” And so it goes. These ladies are delicate as magnolias, but they are also as tough as steel.

Written in 1987 by Robert Harling, inspired by the death of his sister, a diabetic, the play applies humor and lighthearted conversation to cope with the seriousness in their respective lives. It is the playwright’s most famous work. Steel Magnolias also became a popular movie of the same title.

The Milton Players has done it again! The players are strong and perfectly cast.

Laurie (Fish) Fisher’s beauty shop owner Truvy is the anchor of the cast. Her role is complex, and her character strong. An experienced actor, Fisher has captured Truvy’s ability to comfort and laugh. “No one cries alone in my presence,” she says, and it’s true. Fisher is a natural for the role and sets the tone for heartwarming and high quality performance.

Jennifer Fenlon is a newcomer to the Milton Players but not to theatre. Her Annelle, who may or may not be married because her marriage may not be legal, captures the character’s development and blossoming over time. Beginning as an unknown to the group, the character matures to become an integral part of the beauty shop family, and Fenlon conveys this character growth with sensitivity.

Maureen Truax plays Clairee, a widow, who enjoys taking potshots at just about everybody. “If you can’t find anything good to say about anybody, come sit by me,” she cracks. In Truax’s performance, we see the depth of a seasoned comedic actor, and her performance brings levity and relief when it is needed, warmth when it is required.

Shelby is a diabetic and getting married to a somewhat disengaged lawyer. Liz Drew conveys her as pure, sweet, and honest but not naive. She displays the innocence and clarity of those who may not live long. “I’d rather have thirty minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special,” she tells us. It’s powerful stuff. Drew, who is making her Milton Players debut, brings immense talent and profound interpretation to what could be a less multi-dimensional role. We could not imagine a better performance as Shelby. She is a steel magnolia.

Diana Kane is a veteran actor who contributes to the performing arts in many venues. Just last weekend, she directed the Milton Players’ dramatic reading of To Kill a Mockingbird. As Shelby’s mother M’Lynn, this voice of reason is controlled and sensible. Her observations make you chuckle, as she, for example, describes the decorations for her daughter’s wedding as “Pepto-Bismal.” Kane delivers the dry humor with perfection, yet in the last scene, she also releases M’Lynn to rage and mourn. “Oh God I wanna know why? Why? Lord, I wish I could understand!” There were no dry eyes in the audience at the profound loss that Kane expresses.

Milton’s multi-talented Marilyn Whipple plays the cranky but lovable Ouiser. Whipple has long distinguished herself also as musician and musical director as well as actor. She captures far more than just the grouchy old lady: she imbues the character with motivation, desire, and emotion. Ouiser has suffered in life and become hardened on the outside. It’s not an easy dramatic role, and Whipple gets it. Ouiser is cynical, sarcastic, negative, and human, and we know her.

Steel Magnolias balances the light and the heavy, and this production manages that balance with grace and understanding. A subtext, facing illness, certainly strikes home for many of us. One powerful moment for this viewer was when Shelby, who has type 1 diabetes, becomes hypoglycemic and recovers with some juice administered by her mother and the other women in the salon. This captures the caring relationships of the characters. But it is also so familiar if one has lived with diabetics. And some of the proceeds from the 50:50 raffle will be donated to diabetes research. Thank you, Milton Players.

Local theatre offers us easy, affordable access to quality performing arts. The Milton Players always give a good show. Performances are conveniently at the Milton Women’s Club, 90 Reedsdale Rd. Seating at night is at tables, with wine and snacks. How great is that!

Steel Magnolias is a winner. Don’t miss it! You can order tickets online at miltonplayers.org or call 617-698-SHOW (7469). The play runs November 3, 9, 10, at 8 P.M. and Sunday Matinee Nov. 11th at 2 P.M. Support your local arts!

Bravo Milton Players! For show times and ticket information please go here.