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| The cast of Windham Center Stage Theater's production of 'Steel Magnolias' gathers on stage for a scene. Performances continue through this weekend in Windham. PHOTO BY COLLETTE HAYES |
Windham Center Stage Theater proudly presents “Steel Magnolias.” Grab a cup of
sweet tea, dish up a piece of armadillo cake, and sit back and enjoy the show
Louisiana style!
"Steel Magnolias" opened Friday, May 6 at the Windham Center Stage Theater in Windham and be prepared with a tissue or two in hand when attending, for the main story line is a sad one. From the performance of the highly skilled and talented cast members, laughing through tears is sure to become a favorite emotion of all in attendance.
Before the play, attendees can make a donation to the theater by purchasing snacks and drinks from the small concession stand at the back of the theater, including a can of sweet tea, the house wine of the south, and a thick slice of bleeding Armadillo cake.
For those who missed the American comedy-drama film, “Steel Magnolias,”
starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Shirley MacLaine, the audience follows a
heart-wrenching drama, set in Louisiana in the late 1980s.
The story highlights the friendship of a group of women as they celebrate the joys and heartaches of life. The play opens in a beauty shop as Shelby Eatenton (played by Holly Glauber) prepares for her wedding day. She is to be married to a handsome lawyer who has promised to take care of her despite her health challenges. Her bossy but kind mother M’Lynn, (played by Jannine Gaudet) has hovered over her daughter Shelby for many years helping her to deal with the daily challenges of being diabetic.
Shelby marries and knowing full well the risks that having children would bring, she decides to have a baby. She claims that 30 minutes of wonderful is far better than a lifetime of nothing special. Due to Shelby’s decision, she is required to rely on the continuous support of her mother and the strong bonds of friendship from the compassionate, Southern women that frequent the local beauty shop.
Guiding the actors and technical crew, the talented director, April Monte, does a masterful job at visualizing the script and capturing the dramatic aspects of the play on stage. She has been performing in plays and touring on Broadway for 35 years.
Monte received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in music and musical theater. Her career began with Prather Entertainment group as a performer, choreographer and director and then continued with Royal Caribbean Cruises as a featured singer. Now technically retired, Monte is the artistic director and teacher at the Dance Studio of Maine located in Raymond.
She’s also the artistic director at the Community Art Center in Gorham.
“Steel Magnolias” is the first time that Monte has directed a production for the Windham Center Stage Theater.
"Steel Magnolias has been so close to my heart for most of my career and I’m so proud to be a part of this production,” said Monte. “I have been very lucky to work with this amazingly talented group of artists both onstage and off throughout the process. I feel like Mainers settle into their community and enjoy themselves which is definitely reflected in the motto, ‘Maine, the way life should be’.”
A special thank you was given by Monte to the production team producers, Gail White and Heidi Doucette, stage manager Suze Quackenbush, props master Anna Petersen, and technical director Jim Flounders, the stage crew, the Windham Center Stage Theater Board of Directors and all of the volunteers that made the show possible.
Steel Magnolias will run through May 15 with evening performances at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Performances are held at the Windham Center Stage Theater located at 8 School Road in Windham.
Tickets for Steel Magnolias can be purchased online at https://www.windhamenterstagetheater.com/ <
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