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Date: 9/13/2022
MONSON – The Monson Arts Council will have their first theater production in eight years, Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias,” a comedy/drama on the enduring bond among six Southern women: Truvy, Annelle, Clairee, Shelby, M’Lynn and Ouiser in Chinquapin, Louisiana.
“This story is about life, friendship and relationships,” said Board of Directors member Raymond J. Possick, who is also the director of this upcoming production. “It’s what brings the feeling of authenticity to the show. We want to concentrate on building real people and making the audience feel they are experiencing something that moves them because they can find something to relate to in any one of these characters.”
The Monson Arts Council was very active with community theater. Over a period of 35 years, the council was doing one to two shows a year until eight years ago. In an interview with Reminder Publishing, Possick said the Monson Arts Council is always looking for new things. He said the decision to bring back theater was to gage the feasibility of the future of theater in Monson. He shared they formed a Feasibility Committee and mapped out a strategy on what was needed to bring theater back. The council then looked at that strategy and were willing to back the support and finance. Then a new Theater Committee was formed who worked to put the infrastructure together, so that this would be something that was sustainable and would continue in the future. Once the infrastructure was put in place, they went looking for a show.
“We were looking for a show we felt would be a draw to audiences and that would have a name,” Possick added. “Several shows were considered, and, in the end, we were able to get the rights for Steel Magnolias.”
He went on to say, “We believe because of the name of the play and movie it will draw audiences back to Monson. We are starting from scratch again so some of the things we are planning as we are going along.”
Auditions took place on Aug 28 and 29 at the House of Art. The cast lineup includes: Cat Jordan as Truvy Jones, Nicole Richter as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Janet Crosier as Clairee Belcher, Alexandria Escribano as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Aileen Merino Terzi as M’Lynn Eatenton and Jess Miller as Ouiser Boudreaux.
Possick also mentioned they’re hoping to get more people involved in community theater. They’re looking for people to work backstage, props, costumes, running the light board and filling ads for the program.
"This isn’t just about putting on the show, we’re building something that will hopefully be a boon for the community,” Possick replied.
The performance dates will be Oct. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Hall on 198 Main St.