It’s a busy day at Truvy’s beauty shop in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana. The neighbor ladies – friends for decades – regularly gather here on Saturdays, but this is a special occasion. It’s the wedding day of Shelby Eatenton, daughter of M’Lynn, one of Truvy’s regular customers, and everyone is stopping by to support the bride.
Annelle, the shy new employee at the salon, tries to stay in the background. Claree arrives a bit windblown after a football stadium dedication to her late husband, the former mayor of the town.
Conversation flows like sweet syrup, with lots of laughs, friendly questions about Shelby’s plans for her overwhelmingly pink wedding, and jokes about a strange choice for the groom’s cake. Then, Ouiser, the town curmudgeon, bursts in with accusations involving gunfire and missing magnolia blossoms.
If that isn’t enough to engage an audience, consider that Annelle is uncertain about her marital status, M’Lynn is anxious about her husband’s bird control strategy, Claree discovers a gun, Shelby is worried about Annelle’s social life, Ouiser is upset about her dog, and Truvy just wants everyone to calm down so she can take care of Shelby.
So begins the much-loved play, Steel Magnolias, coming to Sea Glass Stage Company at Coligny Theatre May 1-17. Directed by Jessica Walck, with Evan Walls as assistant director and Lyndsay Malphrus as stage manager, the play is the second in the 2026 season for Sea Glass.
While the nuances of the story become obvious fairly quickly, the thread woven throughout is the beauty and wonder of longtime relationships among the women. The telling of their story and the relationships among them are primary reasons local women wanted to be part of the production.
“What speaks to me most about Steel Magnolias is the deep sense of sisterhood among these women,” Walck said. “The beauty shop isn’t just a place to get your hair done – it’s where they come to be together, to talk, to laugh, and to support one another. I love that they can jab at each other one moment and offer a heartfelt compliment the next. These women are layered – they are strong and vulnerable, sharp and tender.”
Walck pointed out that these women are the real deal. “They are not caricatures of Southern women; they are fully realized people navigating real joys and real hardships together,” she said. “At its core, this play celebrates what life is truly about: the people we meet and the relationships that carry us through.”
Building the relationships of fictional characters requires actors to relate not only to the characters, but to their fellow performers. This is accomplished by having real-life conversations and interactions apart from the lines they are learning.
Truvy’s beauty shop is where the Saturday regulars gather. Claree (Heather Adams) and Ouiser (Lynne Hummell) share a laugh in their chairs while Truvy (Christa Fortney) and Annelle (Ashley Casstevens Gonzalez) share gossip.
As rehearsals progressed, the cast members became closer as friends, not just castmates. Though four of the women have worked together before, two newcomers to the company have seamlessly melded into the dynamic.
Walck allows – even encourages – time for sharing stories before or after rehearsals, celebrating the day’s wins or disappointments, elevating and celebrating one another – like fast friends do.
“Really taking time to discuss our characters’ backgrounds and relationships with each other has helped to develop well-rounded characters,” said Christa Fortney, who plays Truvy. “Sharing personal stories and having the freedom to crack up, tell jokes, and support one another without being rushed during rehearsals also helps the cast to bond – which is paramount for a show like Steel Magnolias.”
Heather Adams, who plays Claree, agreed. “I so appreciate this group of ladies in the cast. I feel that all of us want to support each other personally and to be generous on the stage, and that makes a big difference in the overall experience and results,” she said. “I think we already feel very safe together to share bits of our lives.”
Mother and daughter M’Lynn (Amy Dauplaise) and Shelby Eatenton (Julia Sotas Mattis) face life’s hardships with style, grace, and a smile.
Walck carried this blending of actors into characters through her direction. “What are you feeling right now?” she asks – not of the character, but of the person. “Tell me about something that upset you recently.” She uses the answers to point out universal truths, especially among women.
The Cast:
Truvy Jones: Christa Fortney
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto: Ashley Casstevens Gonzalez
Claree Belcher: Heather Adams
Shelby Eatenton: Julia Sotas Mattis
M’Lynn Eatenton: Amy Dauplaise
Ouiser Boudreaux: Lynne Hummell
The Crew:
Director: Jessica Walck
Assistant Director: Evan Walls
Stage Manager: Lyndsay Malphrus
This aspect of Walck’s directing has been a catalyst for deep connections among the actors.
“Building camaraderie with my fellow castmates has created such a fun, supportive, and utterly enjoyable environment,” said Ashley Casstevens Gonzalez, who plays Annelle. “It’s been a truly fulfilling process both artistically and personally. I love my castmates and our wonderful crew.”
Walls has been the lone man at rehearsals, and he loves the show as much as anyone else. “What drew me in was not just the material itself, but the process and intricate work of building connection, trust, and authenticity within an ensemble,” he said. “Theatre, at its core, is about people. It is about witnessing vulnerability, resilience, and the subtle exchanges that define human relationships. This production provided a space to observe and support that exchange in a meaningful way.”
Like the characters they play, the cast of Steel Magnolias have formed bonds of friendship during rehearsals.
What audiences will see will be the telling of a wonderful story through the characters, played by a group of women who will have become family long before the lights go up on the first performance.
Steel Magnolias runs weekends May 1-17, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at sgstage.org.
