Draped in the bright pastels of a bygone era, Truvy’s Salon is a charming little corner of Chinquapin, Louisiana — and has been since the premiere of Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias in 1987. In Creative Cauldron’s brave new production of Harling’s hit play directed by Founding Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull, this small-town salon becomes a haven for the triumphs and gossip of six bold and brassy Southern women. However, as their own troubles rise to the surface, these ladies tease out more than just friendship from their hair appointments, forming bonds deeper than their early flippancies may suggest.
Designed by Creative Cauldron’s Resident Scenic, Costume, and Puppet Designer Margie Jervis, Truvy’s Salon is a proud and lively reflection of the intrepid characters found inside. Vivid and inviting, Miss Truvy’s affable nature brightens up her salon’s every corner, mirrored in everything from its turquoise styling chairs to its radiant lighting, designed by James Morrison. Each detail is intentional and inviting, from its vintage fashion magazines to its Baby Jesus Christmas tchotchkes. Collectively, the Creative Cauldron crew inaugurates its new space with tact, care, and personality to boot.
Such a set may only be bested by the larger-than-life characters brought to the stage by Creative Cauldron’s ambitious cast. As Truvy, Miss Kitty proves herself a weighty talent of both melodrama and nuance. She commands the stage with a quirky, slightly unwieldy physicality that can’t help but endear her to everyone around. A formidable duo, Molly Rumberger and Mindy Shaw bring to life the loving, occasionally fraught bond between mother and daughter with an earnest realism. Rumberger’s Shelby is willful and spirited despite her debilitating diabetes. She is generous and optimistic while at times impenetrable. Shaw’s M’Lynn is alert to all her daughter’s moods, meeting her headstrong at every crossroad. As M’Lynn is gradually forced to let her daughter live by her own decisions, Shaw delicately develops M’Lynn’s resignation alongside the sorrow and indignation that it buries — and ultimately can’t contain.
Forming the comedic backbone of the show, Krista Grimmett-Adams and Karen Lange play two wealthy, boastful residents of Chinquapin. In her role of Clairee, Grimmett-Adams combines the assuredness of Chinquapin’s former first lady with the nimble humor of a town gossip. A quidnunc with a heart of gold, Grimmett-Adams’s Clairee shines with empathy and optimism. Lange’s Ouiser brings a necessary dose of schadenfreude to the group, moaning and grumbling whenever she has the chance. Lange plays Ouiser in the fashion of Shirley MacLaine’s acclaimed 1989 performance, leaving Ouiser’s heart on her sleeve, then quickly covering it back up in a coy game of endearment. Grimmett-Adams and Lange play together masterfully, teasing and baiting each other yet always in alliance like real sisters.
As an anxious newcomer in Chinquapin, Annelle initiates our introduction to this sisterhood. Hapless and pert, Margaret Anne Murphy’s Annelle initially brings with her an earnest sense of humor not entirely in line with that of her friends, and thus often cause for teasing. However, as Annelle grows into the community that welcomes her, she finds a place for her sincerity among the good-natured sarcasm of her friends. Murphy’s portrayal of this character so in her own world is heartwarming, especially as Annelle learns to come down to earth on occasion. Ultimately, despite its haze of hairspray and heat protectant, Truvy’s Beauty Salon is a clear reminder of the bonds that sustain us through troubling times. As spaces of sisterly solidarity across intersections of identity come further under fire, Creative Cauldron’s vision of found sisterhood deserves our attention more than ever.
Running Time: Two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission.
Steel Magnolias plays through March 9, 2025, at Creative Cauldron’s new home, 127 E Broad St, Falls Church, VA. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $45 for Tier One, $35 for Tier Two, and $20 for students. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 703-436-9948 or go online.
The program for Steel Magnolias is online here.
COVID Safety: Creative Cauldron is a mask-optional environment. Creative Cauldron’s COVID-19 Theater Protocol is available here.
SEE ALSO:
Creative Cauldron to celebrate theater grand opening with ‘Steel Magnolias’ (news story, January 29, 2025)
