An emotional comedy that will resonate with audiences while having a holiday kick is set to premiere.
Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias” will open at the Pierce Dow Arena Theater on Friday, Dec. 1 and will run until Sunday, Dec. 10.
Based on a true story, the play takes place in the beauty salon of Truvy Jones in Chinquapin, La. over the course of a few years in the 1980s. It is directed by Shaheen Vaaz and features an all-female cast including faculty and students such as Donna Accardo as Ouiser Boudreaux and Emelysse Paez as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie.
Vaaz shared why she thinks people should come see the play.
“We keep searching for the answers, community, a place to feel comfortable and together. ‘Steel Magnolias’ does a lot of that,” Vaaz said. “It touches our heartstrings, but it is also funny. The women in this play are spitfires, they are compassionate and loving and hilarious.”
Understudy for characters Annelle Dupuy-Desoto and Shelby, Amelia Miller expressed why people should come see the play.
“It is a space where these women come to vent and tell stories about the issues that are going on in their day to day lives,” Miller said. “It is something we can all resonate with. We all have a friend group we feel so close to that whatever you say, stays in that space.”
Miller added there will be a Christmas aspect that will be in line with the holiday season.
According to Vaaz, “it is great for the season,” and believes “audiences will really respond to that.”
Paez elaborated what a major theme of the show is and the sentiments audiences can expect.
“It is a show about women empowering women, as well as the typical tropes of being in a beauty shop,” Paez said. “It is heartwarming, heart wrenching and tear-jerking.”
Paez shared what her experience has been like working with the all-women cast.
“I love working with these women,” Paez said. “There is a wide range of ages in the cast and I think that allows us to open up to each other in different ways because of [our] different life experiences.”
Accardo, who teaches English and literature at Pierce revealed that she has a theater background, and working on the play is a “great opportunity” to be on stage and do something different from teaching classes.
Accardo elaborated on what it has been like working with Vaaz in a setting beyond school-related matters.
“I have known Shaheen through faculty stuff, but this is the first time I have been able to work with her as a director,” Accardo said. “She is amazing. She puts heart into it. We are all supported, we are working hard and it has been lovely.”
Vaaz expressed that “Steel Magnolias” is a piece she has loved for a long time in both its theatrical and cinematic adaptations.
“There are a lot of recognizable relationships in this play that drew me to it and had me propose it for our season,” Vaaz said. “I am very lucky that I get to direct it now with this amazing cast.”
“Steel Magnolias” will open at the Dow Arena Theatre on Friday, Dec. 1, and run until Sunday, Dec. 10. Showtimes for Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students, $18 for seniors and $23 for general admission.
Free parking is located at Parking Lot #6, next to the Performing Arts Building.
LAPC Theatre’s venues are accessible to those with mobile disabilities and hearing impairments.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, call (818) 719-6488, or visit lapctheatre.org to purchase tickets online.