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L-R back row: Suzanne Vest, Robin Cassidy, and Diane Shinneman and in the front row (l-r): Sandy Young, Kathy Wardlaw, and Valerie Padgett. CONTRIBUTED
The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) has announced its cast for its upcoming production of the play Steel Magnolias, in April at the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
The Plaza production of Steel Magnolias, directed by husband-and-wife team Dottie and Dennis McClain, includes three veteran PAPA actors in its cast, as well as three newcomers to the PAPA stage.
Actors Diane Shinneman (M’Lynn), Sandy Young (Quiser), and Robin Cassidy (Truvy) participated in PAPA’s production of Twelve Angry Jurors last fall at The Plaza and will be joined by PAPA newcomers Valerie Padgett (Shelby), Suzanne Vest (Clairee), and Kathy Wardlaw (Annelle).
Steel Magnolias, a fun and poignant comedy/ drama, was written by Robert Harling based on personal experience and was first performed on stage in 1987. It was so well-received that a blockbuster movie of the same name starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts was released in 1989 and shown all over the world.
The Sweet Magnolias characters consist of six women, ages 19 to 60, all connected by strong bonds of family and community.
Each woman has her own story, and each keeps an intact sense of self. At the same time, the strong bond of friendships among them is one of the most important aspects of their lives, especially when times of challenge arrive.
Audiences, male or female, identify with the story, as beneath the sweet Southern smiles of these characters is strength and courage, the kind needed most when personal tragedy hits.
PAPA is part of The Plaza Arts Center operation and since 2008 all PAPA productions have been performed on The Plaza stage. Steel Magnolias will be PAPA’s 78th production since its 1978 founding.
Steel Magnolias will be performed at The Plaza Arts Center at 7 p.m. on April 19, 20, 26, and 27, and at 2:30 p.m. on April 21.
Tickets are now on sale online at plazacenter.org or by calling The Plaza at 706-923-1655. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25, or just $10 for students.