Steel Magnolias Play Summary

The Shakespere Festival in Boise presented Steel Magnolias which was written by Robert Harling. The director of this fabulous play was Sari Ketter, and scenic designer was Gage Williams. The play is about a group of women who will soon discover what a true Steel Magnolia is. Even though none of them know it, by the end they will all have accomplished the standards it takes to be a true Steel Magnolia. A Steel Magnolia is being delicate like a flower but strong through friendship just like steel, because to be both is to be able to overcome anything.

The play starts off in the 1980’s in an over the top beauty parlor. Annel, a new worker for the beauty shop enters this Steel Magnolia clique that consists of only a few other women. The first woman

is Truvy and she is the owner of this beauty shop which is where this play takes place, then there’s Ousier, Clairee who is the mayor’s wife, M’Lynn who is Shelby’s mom, and Shelby.

Shelby is a younger girl in this group that begins to show care and comfort towards Annel. She begins in being interested in this new worker who soon will be a good friend. As the talk and gossip with the friends begins the problem or major point of the story shows; Shelby passes out cold with a blink of an eye! The character has an illness (diabetes) and this is where it begins. A couple months pass by and Shelby end up pregnant which is bad because diabetes wasn’t really something doctors knew how to treat at the time so becoming pregnant could cause several complications. As the baby comes, Shelby becomes very sick, and this is where the “steel” in Steel Magnolias really shows, since now the girls will all show their true strength. Shelby now passes away and the girls again are in their shop of secrets grieving over Shelby’s loss. This shop has become their safety;

somewhere they could come and release their secrets, emotions, and drama. They discuss and try to fathom with the truth, that Shelby is really gone. As the grieving continues, Annel somehow starts discussing all the good things and why this shouldn’t be a time in grief but a time for the girls to be happy and together since that is what Shelby would have wanted. And that’s when the girls strength begins to shine in the moment that they realize that they are delicate and can be hurt like a magnolia, but once they come as one they are strong just like steel.
Annel played by Becca Ballenger is very important because she shows the girls their true strength in this play. She along with the other women has a very heavy southern accent. Annel, very timid at first almost seems rather mysterious. She is always pacing around the salon. She is careful and walks with her hands close to her side as if trying to protect herself. She ignores any questions asked, and when discussing personal life she immediately changes the subject. As the play continues the other women seem to grow on Annel. She now has a change in character. Now, she is very open and actually now tends to speak her mind. For example when M’Lynn who is Shelby’s mom was very depressed about Shelby’s loss it was Annel that spoke out that the girls should be happy. Annel is the one who actually shows the strength the most. The reason would be because she is the one who goes though the most change, and even with all the hard times hit her like death she is able to be the one in the group who stands tall and keeps her chin held high as if nothing is wrong.
Kim Krumm Sorenson has a very unique way of making Annel’s costumes. At first they are very simple then somehow she dresses more subtle but more like the other women. In the first act Annel is dressed very casual, she is so simple which helps her since she doesn’t want to stand out or be noticed. She wears an olive green flowery fitted tank top with absolutely no jewelry or makeup. She is also in flats and has her hair very flat and straightened unlike the other women. She wears jean shorts that seem almost high waisted; very 80’s like. Her colors are very plain just like her outfit. Towards the end Annels costumes tend to be more like the others. Her outfit is more colorful; lots of red and green since its Christmas, but still this is an improvement to her choice in colors. She has little green trees on her apron looking outfit. Her hair is now extravagant and poufy; also very curly. She seems to have some makeup now, like maybe just a tad bit of blush on her cheeks. These costumes really show how valuable her friendship is with the girls because now she is able to dress comfortable and tasteful around them without feeling shaken.
Shelby who is played by Allegra Rose Edwards, is very important in showing the caring and fragile part of this friendship. Shelby always wears a delicate smile on her face, and is always outgoing and happy. She walks as if she is skipping; light and hands flowing freely. She has a sense of touch and seems to touch the other characters as if to show comfort. Shell sometimes put her hands on their shoulder or her hand on top of theirs. She is friendly and concerned for others as well, Although Shelby stands tall she is also very fragile as stated above. For example, when she told her mother she was pregnant and her mother got disappointed and it hurt her deeply. The reason you could tell is because her whole attitude changed when the other girls came in on them. Her face immediately grew pale looking almost as if she could cry. She is so sensitive and is hurt very easily. She shows her delicacy and allows it to shine on the friendship.
Kim Krumm Sorenson also has a very unique way in showing Shelby’s character through her costumes. Her costume stays constant and doesn’t change like Annel’s. Shelby dresses very well groomed. She is always in pink which is a very vibrant color and fits well with her outgoingness. She wears makeup but doesn’t overdo it showing her modesty. She is never in shorts always in capris or pants which go well with her soft attitude.
Gage Williams is the set designer and does very well at it.

The set is a very 80’s themed salon; bright colors that POP. On the two sides more towards the front of the salon there are antique white miniature desks with a mirror connected for customers to see their fabulous locks. There is a bright pink radio that is brought in that sits on one of the desks. For the Christmas scene there is a Christmas tree in the far left back, and bells hung near each window. The walls are green with tiny white flowers delicately painted on them. There is a middle station between the two white desks and it has all the tools needed for any appointment. The floors had different colored tile looking squares that were soft brown and green colored. In the far back left there is a shampoo station that is fairly tiny. To the right of that are two hood dryers that have unique in an oval shape, and all of them are fuchsia pink. Behind each dryer is a window. The chairs in which the characters sit are also bright pink. In this salon there is no confidentiality; it is very

open.
This play explores the importance of friendship, and all the qualities that come in it. Although the characters struggle, they overcome any issue together. This salon has created the true club house of a very deep friendship. Although each of the characters have different struggles and feel troubled when they are on their own, once they come together the inner strength is found.