Southgate Community Players presents “Steel Magnolias,” with Kayla Chavez (left) of Allen Park as Annelle, Jeanne Edwards of Grosse Ile Township as Ouiser, Josie Stec of Wyandotte as M’Lynn, Hannah Bogda of Lincoln Park as Shelby, Sydnee Corbin of Southgate as Truvy and Jema McCardell of Trenton as Clairee. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Road in Southgate. For more information, go to scponstage.com.
The story of a group of Southern women, who are “as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel” comes to life in Robert Hartwig’s dramatic comedy “Steel Magnolias,” which runs Oct. 6 to 15 at the Southgate Community Players’ Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Road.
Directed by Lucinda Chavez of Allen Park, the cast includes Hannah Bogda of Lincoln Park as Shelby, Kayla Chavez of Allen Park as Annelle, Sydnee Corbin of Southgate as Truvy, Jeanne Edwards of Grosse Ile Township as Ouiser, Jema McCardell of Trenton as Clairee and Josie Stec of Wyandotte as M’Lynn.
Lucinda Chavez said she has wanted to direct “Steel Magnolias” for a quite a while.
“Having grown up in the South, I always appreciate a good Southern comedy or drama,” she said. “This show is both.”
Chavez said the script is well-written, relatable and conversational.
“At no point does the script stray from telling the story of six normal but very different women who just live their everyday lives the best they know how, struggles and all,” she said.
Chavez said she enjoyed working with the small female cast.
“There is something about a small ensemble show that is heartwarming and intimate,” she said. “It allows me to work more closely with the actors on their characters, delivery and comedic timing, and seeing the results and knowing the affect it will have on our audience gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”
Chavez hope that attendees will find something in the characters onstage that will help them in their own lives.
“I hope that seeing these six exceptional actors portraying imperfect but real women dealing with life, with the support of other women, will encourage people to realize that we are all human, we all make mistakes and we all have struggles, but we are not alone,” she said.
Corbin plays Truvy, a positive presence and the glue that holds the group together.
“Truvy is fun, and she is always there to help and lend an ear,” she said. “Bringing her to life is a joy.”
Corbin said she is trying hard to make the character her own.
“It’s always a challenge playing a role that was made iconic by someone as vibrant as Dolly freaking Parton,” she said. “I hope to do her even a shred of justice.”
Corbin said the show is an iconic piece of American theater.
“It’s funny, it’s real, it’s messy and heartbreaking,” she said. “It’s life, and women building up other women is something the world needs more of.”
Corbin said the play reminds people that life is short and precious.
“How we live defines the quality of life we’re going to have,” she said. “Shelby says it best: ‘I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.’ That resonates because it’s true. We cannot let fear stop us from truly living.”
Corbin said the playwright based the play in part on his sister, who died from complications of Type I diabetes, and since the play debuted 36 years ago, there have been many advances in treatment options.
“It is staggering to think that if (she) had access to the medical treatments of today, she might still be with us,” she said.
Stec, who plays M’Lynn, said the show emphasizes the importance of the bonds of friendship.
“When you have friends to support you, you can get through anything,” she said.
Stec said the cast members are creating strong friendships as they rehearse the show, as well.
She said M’Lynn is a complex character to portray.
“She wants to give the appearance of being cool, calm and collected, but inside she is screaming,” Stec said. “Accessing the vulnerability needed has definitely pushed me far out of my comfort zone.”
Kayla Chavez, who plays Annelle, said she’s enjoying the challenge of portraying the changes her character goes through over the passage of time.
“She isn’t just a silly fluff character,” she said. “She is experiencing a life transformation (while) trying to find her identity. Her progression is relatable, and embodies what it is to be human.”
Chavez said the chemistry cast members have developed between themselves spills over into their onstage characters.
“The show is guaranteed to make the audience feel and relate to real human emotions,” she said. “I hope the audience remembers the importance of having people in their lives who support and love them unconditionally.”
The show runs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15.
General admission is $15, with a $2 discount for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online, at scponstage.com or at the door.
The Tony Award-winning revival of the Sondheim musical “Company” plays Oct. 17 to 29 at the Fisher Theater. For more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
‘COMPANY’ COMES TO THE FISHER
The Tony Award-winning revival of the Sondheim musical “Company” is in town Oct. 17 to 29 at the Fisher Theater to fill houses with joy and laughter.
During a 35th birthday party, with friends asking the protagonist when they are going to marry and settle down, Bobbie searches for life’s meaning and love.
In the original, the lead was a bachelor, while in the revival, a woman takes center stage. In addition, the gathering of friends represents a much more diverse blend of relationships and lifestyles.
The revival of “Company” was the last work that Sondheim saw to fruition before his death at age 91 two years ago.
Familiar songs include the title song, “Company,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Getting Married Today,” “Side by Side,” “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “Being Alive.”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 to 21 and 23 to 28; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29; 2 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28; and 1 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
Tickets start at $35, and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com, at Ticketmaster.com and at the Fisher Theater box office.
Jesus, played by Jeffrey McMahon, creates the hole-in-one in Antonia David Garcia’s “Candy Corn, Christ, and the Convoluted Creation of Golf” Oct. 6 to 29 at The Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations in Ferndale. For more information, go to theRingwald.com.
THE RINGWALD LAUNCHES SEASON WITH ‘CANDY CORN, CHRIST AND THE CONVOLUTED CREATION OF GOLF’
The Ringwald begins its 17th season with Michigan playwright Antonio David Garcia’s “Candy Corn, Christ and the Convoluted History of Golf” Oct. 6 to 29 at Affirmations Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the LGBTQIA+ programs at Affirmations.
The show takes a fresh look at the New Testament and asks what might have happened if Jesus of Nazareth was a rebel with a sense of humor.
Playwright Garcia, who is also directing the production, said the show is a comedy that takes on key issues at a time when the LGBTQ community is under attack.
“So much of that vitriol and homophobia is coming from the conservative religious right, I think it’s entirely appropriate and just that a progressive comedy about the life of Christ be produced and raise dollars for Michigan’s largest LGBTQ Community Center,” he said. “I think Jesus would agree.”
The cast includes Jeffrey McMahon as Jesus, Rashna “Rashi” Sarwar as Natalie, Antonio David Garcia as Damion, Joey Urreta as Simon Peter, Camden Maccagnone as Thomas, Quinn Hysni as Jordas, Callie Bussell as Mags, Linda Rabin Hammell as Mary, Daniel Santillana as Judas, Joseph Worthington as a priest and Allie Farmer as a prostitute.
Performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 and 3 p.m. Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Tickets are $25 and are available online at theRingwald.com and at the door, by credit card only.