Now playing at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick is the play “Steel Magnolias” written by Robert Harling. The show was originally produced in 1987 at the WPA Theater in New York City and soon transferred to the Lucille Theater in June where it closed after 1,126 performances.

It was adapted as a film in 1988 with a stellar cast that included Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley Maclaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah. Julia Roberts was nominated for an academy Award for best supporting actress. 

The story is based on the author’s experience with his sister’s death.

The characters in the play live in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana, with Act 1 taking place in April of  1987 in December of the same year and Act 2 beginning 18 months later in June and then November.

There are but six characters in the story, all women, and the action takes place in a beauty parlor.

The set, by Dane Leeman was pleasing to the eye, brought one back in time and afforded space for the characters to move without bumping into things. In my opinion, each of the six ladies was believable in their respective parts and added to the effectiveness of the performance.

The essence of the plot concerns Shelby (Rachel Noland) who is about to be married, her mother M’Lynn (Kelley Leigh-Ann Connors), the hair stylist Truvy (Monique Foote), her assistant Annelle (Alanna Bagdon) and two patrons of the parlor who lend their support to M’Lynn, Clairee (Raina Ames) and Ousier (Kate Miller). There is a serious thread to the story: Shelby, vain and the daughter of well-to-do parents, has diabetes and has been warned not to have children. Nevertheless, she marries, gets pregnant, has a healthy child, and has to go on dialysis. Her mother is a good match and donates one of her kidneys to Shelby, but (spoiler alert) the kidney is rejected and Shelby dies.

There are many humorous one-liners during the course of the show. One memorable line: “I knew he had problems when his imaginary playmates refused to play with him!”

The characters each had their own problems but banded together as a support group. Clairee, initially impressed as lightweight socially eventually bought a local radio station, Ousier brought many a touch of humor in a tense situation with references to her personal life. Annelle, assistant in the beauty shop eventually straightened out her life, participated in church life and told M’Lynn that she would name her child Shelby, boy or girl.

The anchor of the group is Truvy the hair stylist. She is what many would call a “live wire.” She personified what folks from “away” would think of as a typical lady from a small southern town.

She has a heart of gold and a stream of dialogue to connect the action as well as the dialogue of the other characters. While the acting of all the characters was at a high level throughout the show, it was the acting of Ms. Connors in the last scene that was the most convincing when she spoke the line: “I feel like hitting someone!” (Well done.)

Lastly, one must acknowledge the direction of the characters by Caitlin Lowans. In a show that could well be visually static there was enough movement by the actresses that seemed natural and necessary to the action to prevent that. To me, this was a case of art that hid the art that was involved.

The show continues at Hackmatack, 535 School St., Berwick, with performances  Aug. 2-5; and Aug. 9-12 at 8 p.m. Matinees  arescheduled on Aug. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be had by calling 698-1807 or at hackmatack.org. The next and final show of  the 45th season of the Playhouse will be “The Fantasticks” starting on Aug. 16 and concluding on Sept. 2. For tickets and more information, contact 698-1807 or hackplayhouse@aol.com.

— Dr. Morton Gold is a composer/conductor, retired educator and an arts reviewer of the Journal Tribune.