“Steel Magnolias” is so popular that at least three groups are staging the play in the Southland.
The Drama Group’s production from Feb. 17 to 26 at Chicago Heights’ Milord Studio Theatre features an all-female cast and a nearly all-female crew.
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“I wanted everything about it to be about strong women,” said Suzanne Ashlock, director of “Steel Magnolias.”
“We have a list of volunteers that we keep in the Drama Group. I went down the whole list, picked up every name that looked like it was female and sent out an email that said, ‘I am looking for women to work this show.’
“As a result I got some brand-new people that had never worked at Drama Group before. We didn’t have some of the necessary skills so I brought in mentors. This is where our wonderful group of men came in.”
Robert Harling’s play was adapted into the film “Steel Magnolias” written by him and starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts.
“There are no men in the play. When they did open it up for the movie, they took some of the women’s lines and moved them around for different things. Sometimes some of the men have the women’s lines,” said Ashlock of Homewood.
“In the play the entire show takes place in the beauty salon whereas in the movie they actually went to the town of Natchitoches, which is the real town that Chinquapin is based on, and filmed there.”
The Drama Group’s show features Chicago, Flossmoor, Homewood, Joliet, Lansing and Park Forest actors and Chicago, Chicago Heights, Crete, Flossmoor, Homewood, Matteson, New Lenox, Olympia Fields, Richton Park, South Holland and Tinley Park production team members.
“All the women in our are cast are wonderful,” Ashlock said.
“(The show’s) about the bond women make with their friends. When things are going great, they’re happy for each other. When things get tough, they support each other. There’s this strong connection between them. That comes through in the play strongly that they’re always there for each other.”
The Drama Group partners with Franciscan Health to raise diabetes awareness during “Steel Magnolias,” which includes the character Shelby, a Type 1 diabetic.
“We’ll have a display that explains some of the things that happen in the play and also stuff about the improvements in diabetes management,” said Ashlock, whose husband, Jeff Ashlock, a 51-year Type 1 diabetic, will be available to answer questions.
Other productions
The Beverly Theatre Guild stages “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 to 18 and 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at Morgan Park Academy Arts Center’s Baer Theater in Chicago. Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for ages 60 and older or members; $16 for ages 16 and younger. At 2153 W. 111th St. 773-284-8497; beverlytheatreguild.org.
Curtain Call Theatre presents “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. March 3 to 4 and March 10 to 11 at Front Street Theatre in Mokena. Performances on March 5 and 12 are sold out. Tickets are $22. At 11112 Front St. 708-607-2281; ccctheatre.com.
‘Steel Magnolias’
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17-18 and Feb. 23-25; 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26
Where: The Drama Group’s Milord Studio Theatre, 330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights
Tickets: $23 adults; $21 ages 65 and older; $17 students
Information: 708-755-3444; dramagroup.org
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Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.