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Steel Magnolias

Presented by The City Theatre Company at The City Theatre

November 18-December 19, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (4.6 Stars):
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Robert Harling’s wisecracking and wise southern hit comedy serving up life, love and laughter that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie. In the haven of Truvy’s beauty salon, six women come together to share secrets, gossip and bare their souls learning to embrace themselves and the future with all its uncertainties. From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they weather every event with grace, determination and perfectly coiffed hair. Directed by Barry Pineo and starring Annie Dragoo, Jessica Loyd, Ellen Massey, Melita McAtee, Virgina Pratt and Akasha Banks Villalobos.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The City Theatre

    3823 Airport Boulevard
    Austin, TX 78722

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets: General seating $15 - $20. Front and 2nd Row Reserved $25. Thursday all seats $10. Group and student discounts.

    Info Phone: 512-524-2870

    Email

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    November 18-December 19, 2010

    Times:
    Thursday - Saturday 8:00 p.m.
    Sunday 5:30 p.m.

  • Accessibility Info

    

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Will make a grown man cry"
      Review posted by: Jay Y. from Austin, TX, Dec 07, 2010
      

      City Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias is one of the most powerful theatre experiences I've had in Austin. And that is saying something, since I've seen a lot of shows. Under Barry Pineo's... Expand

      City Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias is one of the most powerful theatre experiences I've had in Austin. And that is saying something, since I've seen a lot of shows. Under Barry Pineo's direction, Steel Magnolias gets the audience to know and love all of the characters. From the introduction of the characters to the powerful climax and aftermath, the warmth and pathos of the people in Truvy's Hair Salon bring you into their lives and you share their stories. In the hands of a lesser director and actresses, Steel Magnolias has the danger of being cloying. But Barry Pineo's production manages to pick your heart's pocket and do so honorably, making the play a cathartic, satisfying experience. For any theatre fan in Austin to miss City Theatre's Steel Magnolias would amount to dereliction of duty. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "'Gift' Yourself with This Show"
      Review posted by: Preston Kirk from Austin (Spicewood) TX, USA, Dec 06, 2010
      

      Enduring popularity, emotional highs and lows, some of the most memorable lines in southern playwrighting . . . one would think Robt. Harling's most memorable play guarantees success. One would be... Expand

      Enduring popularity, emotional highs and lows, some of the most memorable lines in southern playwrighting . . . one would think Robt. Harling's most memorable play guarantees success. One would be wrong. I've seen five different versions of this show. Some delighted and some chafed, and not just because I'm a male theatregoer. This production succeeds, however, despite its "minimalist" set, despite the unsettling, between-scenes onstage costume changes and despite some too thick Louisiana dialects and a few comical wardrobe pieces. It succeeds because Barry Pineo (a talented director and actor) has lovingly blended Virginia Pratt (Truvy), Jessica Loyd (Annelle), Clairee (Ellen Massey), Akasha Villalobos (Shelby), Annie Dragoo, (M'Lynn)and Melita McAtee (Ouiser)into a true ensemble. Thus, the focus in CTC's intimate 85-seat theatre is squarely on six fine actors and the wonderful dialogue that binds together the hands, hearts and aspirations of their characters. Go. See. Enjoy! Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Only Two More Weekends"
      Review posted by: Ronda Dale Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX, USA, Dec 06, 2010
      

      It is difficult to modify this popular classic, but director Barry Pineo found a few ways to change it up. The audience becomes a giant mirror with the beauty shop clients and stylists looking... Expand

      It is difficult to modify this popular classic, but director Barry Pineo found a few ways to change it up. The audience becomes a giant mirror with the beauty shop clients and stylists looking directly into them as they view and do their hair dos or "check the back" (and perhaps the audience) with a hand-held mirror. Another innovation, some of the costume changes are made at the sides of the stage between scenes, adding intrest and speeding action along. The acting is good, particularly Akasha Banks Villalobos as "Shelby," the diabetic wanting to haver her own baby. There's a reason this play has been so popular for so long: It's well written, funny and poignant. A downside for this production is the set. Limitations on this stage did not allow for a working sink . . . or a sink at all. There were no stylist chairs and the manicure area used simple stools and a table. So much more could have been done to make the setting more realistic. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Fantastic show and cast!"
      Review posted by: Billy Weaver from Austin, TX 78704, Nov 30, 2010
      

      This is a great production of Steel Magnolias. The cast is spot on. Definitely worth seeing.

      This is a great production of Steel Magnolias. The cast is spot on. Definitely worth seeing.

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Beautiful All Around"
      Review posted by: J.S.R from Austin, TX USA, Nov 29, 2010
      

      I've never in my entire existence in this world heard of Steel Magnolias, nor have I seen the movie, but this show and this cast is wonderful for the holiday season. All the ladies do a... Expand

      I've never in my entire existence in this world heard of Steel Magnolias, nor have I seen the movie, but this show and this cast is wonderful for the holiday season. All the ladies do a wonderful job, I just feel sad about the crew (I hear it is a male director and a male stage manager). Either way, they have done and continue to do a wonderful job. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Steal Melita!"
      Review posted by: R.Michael from Austin, Texas, Nov 29, 2010
      

      What a charming cast! and let's face it, Melita McAtee as Ouiser steals the show! The actress playing Shelby is also a stand out in this fine cast. You see it comeing, you know the story, but the... Expand

      What a charming cast! and let's face it, Melita McAtee as Ouiser steals the show! The actress playing Shelby is also a stand out in this fine cast. You see it comeing, you know the story, but the cast still makes it emotional, funny, and relevant to today. Go see it! Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Wonderful comedy for the holidays!"
      Review posted by: Carol Anne from Austin , Nov 27, 2010
      

      No matter how many times I see this show, I laugh, I smile, I cry and I leave so happy and hopeful about family and friends. I did again seeing it opening weekend. And Harling's play especially hits... Expand

      No matter how many times I see this show, I laugh, I smile, I cry and I leave so happy and hopeful about family and friends. I did again seeing it opening weekend. And Harling's play especially hits home for the holidays. Thank you City Theatre and Magnolias cast and crew - standing ovation included - for a great evening of theatre. Laughter through tears..amen! Collapse

• Media
  Gallery

  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Will make a grown man cry"
      Review posted by: Jay Y. from Austin, TX, Dec 07, 2010
      

      City Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias is one of the most powerful theatre experiences I've had in Austin. And that is saying something, since I've seen a lot of shows. Under Barry Pineo's... Expand

      City Theatre's production of Steel Magnolias is one of the most powerful theatre experiences I've had in Austin. And that is saying something, since I've seen a lot of shows. Under Barry Pineo's direction, Steel Magnolias gets the audience to know and love all of the characters. From the introduction of the characters to the powerful climax and aftermath, the warmth and pathos of the people in Truvy's Hair Salon bring you into their lives and you share their stories. In the hands of a lesser director and actresses, Steel Magnolias has the danger of being cloying. But Barry Pineo's production manages to pick your heart's pocket and do so honorably, making the play a cathartic, satisfying experience. For any theatre fan in Austin to miss City Theatre's Steel Magnolias would amount to dereliction of duty. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "'Gift' Yourself with This Show"
      Review posted by: Preston Kirk from Austin (Spicewood) TX, USA, Dec 06, 2010
      

      Enduring popularity, emotional highs and lows, some of the most memorable lines in southern playwrighting . . . one would think Robt. Harling's most memorable play guarantees success. One would be... Expand

      Enduring popularity, emotional highs and lows, some of the most memorable lines in southern playwrighting . . . one would think Robt. Harling's most memorable play guarantees success. One would be wrong. I've seen five different versions of this show. Some delighted and some chafed, and not just because I'm a male theatregoer. This production succeeds, however, despite its "minimalist" set, despite the unsettling, between-scenes onstage costume changes and despite some too thick Louisiana dialects and a few comical wardrobe pieces. It succeeds because Barry Pineo (a talented director and actor) has lovingly blended Virginia Pratt (Truvy), Jessica Loyd (Annelle), Clairee (Ellen Massey), Akasha Villalobos (Shelby), Annie Dragoo, (M'Lynn)and Melita McAtee (Ouiser)into a true ensemble. Thus, the focus in CTC's intimate 85-seat theatre is squarely on six fine actors and the wonderful dialogue that binds together the hands, hearts and aspirations of their characters. Go. See. Enjoy! Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Only Two More Weekends"
      Review posted by: Ronda Dale Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX, USA, Dec 06, 2010
      

      It is difficult to modify this popular classic, but director Barry Pineo found a few ways to change it up. The audience becomes a giant mirror with the beauty shop clients and stylists looking... Expand

      It is difficult to modify this popular classic, but director Barry Pineo found a few ways to change it up. The audience becomes a giant mirror with the beauty shop clients and stylists looking directly into them as they view and do their hair dos or "check the back" (and perhaps the audience) with a hand-held mirror. Another innovation, some of the costume changes are made at the sides of the stage between scenes, adding intrest and speeding action along. The acting is good, particularly Akasha Banks Villalobos as "Shelby," the diabetic wanting to haver her own baby. There's a reason this play has been so popular for so long: It's well written, funny and poignant. A downside for this production is the set. Limitations on this stage did not allow for a working sink . . . or a sink at all. There were no stylist chairs and the manicure area used simple stools and a table. So much more could have been done to make the setting more realistic. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Fantastic show and cast!"
      Review posted by: Billy Weaver from Austin, TX 78704, Nov 30, 2010
      

      This is a great production of Steel Magnolias. The cast is spot on. Definitely worth seeing.

      This is a great production of Steel Magnolias. The cast is spot on. Definitely worth seeing.

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Beautiful All Around"
      Review posted by: J.S.R from Austin, TX USA, Nov 29, 2010
      

      I've never in my entire existence in this world heard of Steel Magnolias, nor have I seen the movie, but this show and this cast is wonderful for the holiday season. All the ladies do a... Expand

      I've never in my entire existence in this world heard of Steel Magnolias, nor have I seen the movie, but this show and this cast is wonderful for the holiday season. All the ladies do a wonderful job, I just feel sad about the crew (I hear it is a male director and a male stage manager). Either way, they have done and continue to do a wonderful job. Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Steal Melita!"
      Review posted by: R.Michael from Austin, Texas, Nov 29, 2010
      

      What a charming cast! and let's face it, Melita McAtee as Ouiser steals the show! The actress playing Shelby is also a stand out in this fine cast. You see it comeing, you know the story, but the... Expand

      What a charming cast! and let's face it, Melita McAtee as Ouiser steals the show! The actress playing Shelby is also a stand out in this fine cast. You see it comeing, you know the story, but the cast still makes it emotional, funny, and relevant to today. Go see it! Collapse

    • Event Name: Steel Magnolias
      "Wonderful comedy for the holidays!"
      Review posted by: Carol Anne from Austin , Nov 27, 2010
      

      No matter how many times I see this show, I laugh, I smile, I cry and I leave so happy and hopeful about family and friends. I did again seeing it opening weekend. And Harling's play especially hits... Expand

      No matter how many times I see this show, I laugh, I smile, I cry and I leave so happy and hopeful about family and friends. I did again seeing it opening weekend. And Harling's play especially hits home for the holidays. Thank you City Theatre and Magnolias cast and crew - standing ovation included - for a great evening of theatre. Laughter through tears..amen! Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.