‘Steel Magnolias’ will steal your heart away at Red Curtain in Marysville

ARLINGTON – Red Curtain opens its 10th season Sept. 6-22 with the popular dramatic comedy “Steel Magnolias.”

In the fictional northwestern Louisiana parish of Chinquapin sits Truvy’s in-home beauty parlor, where local women regularly gather. The play covers events over three years of five lifelong residents of the parish, Truvy (Jenny Price), M’Lynn (Marli Bartness), Shelby (Laura McFarlane), Ouiser (Dawn Cornell), and Clairee (Mary Kay Voss), and a newcomer, Annelle (Lydia O’Day). The women face hardships and joy together, including Shelby’s decision to have a child despite the complications that could result; Clairee’s friendship with the curmudgeon Ouiser; Annelle’s transformation from a shy, anxious newcomer to a good-time girl then repentant revival-tent Christian; and Truvy’s relationships with the men in her family. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother M’Lynn, and Shelby’s medical battles, the underlying strength of the women’s bonds is the glue that ties it all together.

The famous movie featured the star power of Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.

Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave. Suite J. Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com; at the RCF box office by calling 360-322-7402 or in-person at the arts center Tuesday-Saturday from 2-6 p.m.

For details go to www.redcurtainfoundation.org.