Steel Magnolias in bloom at Puyallup Elks Lodge
Apr 09 2008
For the next two weekends the Puyallup Elks Lodge will resound with the sweet Southern drawl of Steel Magnolias, a Robert Harling play centered around the everyday life of six Southern woman.
The play presented by the Puyallup Elks Regional Theatre and director/producer Petra Karr, is a peek inside the lives of six women who frequent Truvys Beauty Parlor in rural Chinquapin, La.
The drama begins on the morning of Shelbys wedding and follows the lives of the women for the next three years, including Shelbys struggle with Type 1 diabetes.
Unlike the 1989 movie starring Julie Roberts, Sally Field and Dolly Parton which was expanded to include several male cast members, this rendition remains true to the original play and features just the six women and a off-stage male radio announcer.
According to Karr, she jumped at the chance to bring the play to the stage.
I have not directed less than 30 people in a play since I was in college, Karr said. And there are not a lot of well-written stories for women. I just love this story.
For the past eight weeks the cast has been working on the play, even going as far as to create a hospital scene at Good Samaritan Hospital which was photographed for inclusion in a photo montage at the end of the play.
This past weekend the cast Salacka, Toni Powell, Naomi Mahlen, Lisa Malmo and Sheila Bond underwent beauty school boot camp, where they were taught the tricks of the beautician trade by local stylist Char Steiner.
The play is the second play for the Puyallup Elks Regional Theatre, which was started last year by Karr.
I would like to do two major productions a year, Karr said. And the Elks have asked me to do a couple of other things, like a Gong Show or a talent show, or some improv type things.
Karr added that the marriage between the Elks and the theatre may seem strange, but its actually makes sense based on the genesis of the club.
The Elks were founded in 1868 by two acting thespians from England who had come to New York City for fortune and fame and wanted to organize a group to gather and share job opportunities and support, she said.
Karr, who also organizes several other theater projects through her company Ascension Productions, said that although the Elks Regional Theatre marks a major time commitment for her as artistic director, its an important part of the fabric of the community.
I do it because I cant not do it, Karr said.
The play, presented by the Puyallup Elks Regional Theatre, begins with evening performances at 8 p.m. April 11 and 12, followed by a matinee at 2 p.m. April 13. The following weekend will feature 8 p.m. performances April 18 and 19, with a 2 p.m. matinee April 20.
The evening performances will be preceded by a dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults for the show only, $20 with dinner. Seniors and children older than 12 are $8 for the show only, $20 for dinner and show. Children younger than 12 are free.
For reservations or more information call the Puyallup Elks Lodge at 253-845-9515.
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