Hankies out for 'Steel Magnolias'
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 5 months AGO
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald From left, Annelle (Emma Russell), Ouiser (Barbara Sloan) and Truvy (Sharon Winningham) swoon over a picture of Shelby’s (Laura Knittle, foreground) son in the Masquers production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ opening April 21.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Clairee (Cheri Barbre, front) discusses her family’s foibles while Annelle (Emma Russell, background) says a prayer in the Masquers production of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ opening April 21.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | April 14, 2017 4:00 AM
SOAP LAKE — The story of the lives of six friends through good times and bad comes to the Masquers Theater stage beginning April 21. “Steel Magnolias” will run for three weekends, at 7 p.m. April 21 and 22, 28 and 29 and May 5 and 6. Three Sunday matinées are scheduled as well, at 2 p.m. April 23 and 30 and May 7.
Masquers Theater is located at 322 East Main St., Soap Lake.
This will be the second time at the helm of “Steel Magnolias” for director Randy Brooks; the play is one of his personal favorites, he said. “Very well-written show.” He directed the first Masquers production in about 2001.
“Steel Magnolias” tells the story of six women who work and hang out at Truvy’s beauty shop in a fictional town in Louisiana. The play was written by Robert Harling as a tribute to his sister Susan Harling Robinson. It premiered off-Broadway in 1988 and was made into a movie in 1990.
Truvy (Sharon Winningham in the Masquers production) and Annelle (Emma Russell) cut and style hair, receive and dispense advice, gossip about goings-on in their community. But the staff and their customers also support each other, both when times are good and when things go bad.
Shelby (Laura Knittle) is a diabetic, and the birth of her son leads to complications. Her mom M’Lynn (Melissa Sloan) is deeply worried about her daughter’s health – with good reason. As Shelby and her mom need more and more support, their friends rally around, including Miss Clairee (Cheri Barbre) and Ouiser (Barbara Sloan), who are friendly sparring partners in good times.
“Lots of emotion,” Brooks said.
“Steel Magnolias” is a “great ensemble show. Everybody is a star.” Each cast member has scenes where their character is the focus of the action, he said. All the characters are well-written and fully developed as characters, he said.
“The dialogue is very real.” He’s never known an actress, he said, who didn’t want a role in “Steel Magnolias,” once they read it. The 2017 production drew almost 30 women for the auditions. “I could’ve cast the show twice, easily, with quality people.”
Tickets are $14 general admission, $10 for seniors, and can be purchased on the Masquers website, www.masquers.com. Advance purchase is recommended.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road construction projects starting to wrap up
QUINCY — Labor Day is in the rear-view mirror, school is back in session, football season is here, and the road construction season is in the home stretch. Some projects are wrapping up, some will continue through the end of October, and some will just keep going until they're done.
No injuries when plane attempts to land at Moses Lake Sand Dunes
MOSES LAKE — No injuries were reported when a small plane attempted to land at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes early Wednesday evening. Ty Svancara, 24, Moses Lake, was the only occupant of the Piper PA-18-150, and was not injured, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Research recommended before buying new windows
MOSES LAKE — New windows are a big investment for any homeowner. Justin Vanerstrom, owner of Al's Glass in Moses Lake, said that being the case, it pays for a homeowner to do some research first.