Main Stage Series

JAN. 10 - 28, 2018

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

By Robert Harling

Directed by Susan Haefner



The hilarious and heartwarming story explores the lives, loves and losses of six women. These women gossip and harangue each other through the best of times and comfort and repair one another through the worst. The action centers on Truvy's Beauty Parlor, in Chiquapin Parish, Louisiana, where the women are as delicate as magnolias and as strong as steel.

"Harling has given his women sharp, funny dialogue…The play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving." - New York Daily News

"…a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South…Robert Harling is a new voice in the theatre and the qualities of STEEL MAGNOLIAS suggest he may be an important one." - Drama Logue

"…suffused with humor and tinged with tragedy." -New York Post



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Performance Schedule

Previews on January 10 & 11, all seats $17.50 for Previews only. For other pricing, see our tickets page.

Opening Night: January 12 - wine and cheese reception before the show.

Performances:

Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday at 8:00 pm
Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm, followed by a talk back with the cast.

Special Tuesday matinee on January 23 at 2:00pm - all seats $22.50 this show only.





Full Calendar

Cast

JILL TAYLOR ANTHONY (Truvy): I feel humbled to be part of this special show.  Thank you to Hillary, Sean, and Susan!  Families aren't just born; they are made.  Past favorites: Adelaide GUYS & DOLLSAgnes Gooch in MAMEAdo Annie in OKLAHOMA!, Jeri Neal in DIXIE SWIM CLUB, Maggie Jones in 42ND STREET, and Maria in A COMEDY OF TENORS.  Thank you to my amazing family and friends for your support and to my wonderful husband, Judah, for letting me live my dream!  www.JillTaylorAnthony.com 

LIZA COUSER (Annelle): Playhouse on Park Debut! New London Barn Playhouse: By My Side Soloist GODSPELL, Rose THE SECRET GARDEN, Somewhere soloist WEST SIDE STORY, Ensemble ALL SHOOK UP; Northern Stage: Ensemble MAMMA MIA; Dartmouth College: Hope URINETOWN, Mary Sunshine CHICAGO, Beth MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, Elizabeth Welsh BLUE STOCKINGS. Liza just graduated from Dartmouth College and is now pursuing theater in NYC! Special thanks to her family for their endless support and the Playhouse for this opportunity! Lizacouser.com

JEANNIE HINES (M’Lynn): Playhouse on Park debut!  Shaker Bridge Theatre, NH: Sylvia SYLVIA, Liz BOOK OF LIZ, Beverly MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, Sally Tally TALLY’S FOLLY; Parish Players, VT: M’Lynn STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Ruth BLITHE SPIRIT, Multiple roles LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE.  Jeannie lives in NH where her other roles include Mom, Spouse, and Physical Therapist.  Her deepest gratitude goes out to Susan Haefner for bringing her here and to her Super-Hero Husband and their three children.

SUSAN SLOTOROFF (Shelby) Previous shows at PoP: Billie UNNECESSARY FARCE, Puppeteer LITTLE SHOP, Deirdre I HATE HAMLET, Actor 6 THE DINING ROOM; Shadowland Stages: Ruth MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, Roz MOON OVER BUFFALO, Billie UNNECESSARY FARCE; Bridge Street: Faith HOW TO PRAY (NY Premiere); WPPAC: Louise FOX ON THE FAIRWAY; AC Coastal Carolina: Maggie LEND ME A TENOR. Susan is the Co-Founder of the Broadway Cares Broadway Run www.BroadwayCares.org/BroadwayRun BFA Elon University @SusanAreYouBusy www.Susan-Slotoroff.com. For my mom.

DOROTHY STANLEY* (Clairee): Playhouse on Park Debut! Broadway shows: 17 including SUGAR BABIES, ANNIE, 42nd STREET, and the revivals of FOLLIES, SHOW BOAT, SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE...and GYPSY. Regional Credits: over 100 with Syracuse, Northern and Arena Stages, Pioneer and Weston Playhouses, the Goodspeed Opera House, and St. Louis and Capital Rep theaters among them. A native of West Hartford she is thrilled to perform in her hometown where she attended Duffy, Bridlepath, Sedgwick and Conard High Schools. Thank you Sue Haefner!

PEGGY COSGRAVE* (Ouiser) began her career in A Long Day’s Journey Into Night with Helen Hayes in 1971 and in 1985 was nominated for the first Helen Hayes Award for her portrayal of Chic in Crimes of the Heart. She has been a professional actor for 49 years. Peggy originated the leading role of Clara Nowak in Miracle on South Division Street in its debut at the Penguin Theatre in New York State, followed by productions Off Broadway, and at regional theatres in Connecticut and New Hampshire. She also originated the role of Peggy, which was written for her in the debut of Women Who Steal at the GEVA Theatre. Broadway: Born Yesterday with Madeline Kahn and Ed Asner, The Nerd, The Shadow Box, and Suddenly Last Summer. Off Broadway: The Sandbox, directed by its author Edward Albee. She just appeared as Marylin in Ripcord at Shadowland Stage. Peggy is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

SUSAN HAEFNER (Director) loves returning to Playhouse on Park whenever possible - as a director, choreographer, and actor. Playhouse credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (director/choreographer), 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (director/choreographer - CT Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Ensemble), THREE LITTLE PIGS (director/choreographer), and THE DINING ROOM (actor).   Other director credits include 4000 MILES (Shaker Bridge Theatre), SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! And STUART LITTLE (Weston Playhouse), FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Geva Theatre/SUNY Brockport) and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Castleton University). Susan is also a Broadway actor (STATE FAIR, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, 42nd STREET, BILLY ELLIOT 1st National Tour) and an actor/teaching artist at Weston Playhouse and Northern Stage in Vermont. www.susanhaefner.com

*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity, the profession union for actors and stage managers.

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