From left: Remy Thompson, Michele Zelaya and Bethel Elias in Robert E. Lee High School’s ‘Steel Magnolias.’ Photo by John Milewski
"There is no such thing as natural beauty," said the sign on the back wall of Truvy's Beauty Salon. While there may be some truth in that, one should also take this slogan with a grain of salt. After all, is there not natural beauty in laughter and in friendship? That was up to the audience to decide once the play “Steel Magnolias” began at Robert E. Lee High School.
Written by Robert Harling, “Steel Magnolias” premiered off-Broadway on March 28, 1987, and went on to enjoy an iconic film adaption in 1989 and a brief five-month run on Broadway in 2005. A tribute to Harling's sister, who died of type-one diabetes, “Steel Magnolias” is a wonderful story set in the 1980s about six Louisiana women of different ages and perspectives who gather at Truvy's Beauty Spot, looking for gossip and reassurance as they move through both joyful and tragic stages in their lives.
The six young women from Lee High School handled this delicate balance between comedy and drama with exceptional maturity. Ellie Milewski (M'Lynn) embodied a constantly anxious mother, interspersing a rational tone with the slightly strained quaver. By allowing her placid appearance to sometimes slip during moments of disbelief and grief, Milewski easily conveyed those times when she was putting on a brave face, even as grief and worry consumed her. The relationship between Milewski and Remy Thompson (Shelby), her daughter, was quite realistic. Milewski acted the collected, experienced, albeit somewhat overbearing mother, while Thompson characterized Shelby through with a flighty nature and enthusiastic naiveté, painting the picture of a young woman who still had not fully let go of her girlish fantasies.
While these two shared tense arguments and affectionate hugs and looks, other actresses helped to bring levity to such serious situations. Michele Zelaya (Truvy) ran her beauty salon with flair, always ready to raise an eyebrow over the latest gossip or assert her opinions on everything from marriage to the best nail polish color. Acting largely as a foil to her flamboyant boss, Skyler Estrella (Annelle) adeptly transitioned from an awkward teenage girl too shy to look people in the eye to a daring young woman then on to a devout religious convert who prayed at the drop of a hat. Kiana Burch's (Ouiser) gruff and abrasive manner as the neighborhood misanthrope highlighted her shift into a more compassionate person as she softened her words and personality. Finally, Bethel Elias (Clairee) fully committed to her role as an older, yet no less classy or spirited, Southern woman. Her slow drawl, stately gait, and quick-witted jabs demonstrated her confidence and commitment to Clairee's laid-back and humorous outlook.
Aspects such as the lighting, makeup and sound mirrored the tone of the scenes and differentiated among characters. Though the lighting largely remained the same throughout, the bright fluorescent lights of the beauty parlor added an element of constancy to the continually changing dynamics among the women. In contrast, makeup ranged from shades of bright pink to barely there, and incorporated subtle changes in keeping with each character's age and preferences. The occasional song reflected both upbeat and poignant moments.
Overall, Robert E. Lee High School's production of “Steel Magnolias" was a moving rendition of this classic. The composure of these six young women and their hilarious yet heartbreaking conversations with each other reminded the audience that, as Shelby says, "Life goes on," and there will always be beauty in friendship and love.