The Magnolias of RLT Might Just Steel your Heart
Review by Hannah Davis, Photos by Dana Nollsch
The Magnolias of RLT Might Just Steel your Heart January 17, 2018
Reno Little Theater’s 83rd Season is kicking off 2018 with the emotionally touching and classic story, Steel Magnolias. Directed by Rachel Lopez and starring: Greer Kukuk as Shelby, Sandra Neace as M’Lynn, Jamie Lynn Woodham as Truvy, Moira Bengochea as Clairee, Evonne Kezios as Ouiser, and Katie Hughes as Annelle.
The story explores the bond between a group of women as they come together to gossip about the town locals, keep up on the latest beauty trends, and solve one of life’s biggest questions: “Is it better to have 30 minutes of something wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special”? Let me tell you, tonight’s performance had more than just 30 minutes of something wonderful.
Number one: Kukuk and Hughes are both actors whom I have never seen perform before. It was a delight to watch performers previously unknown to me as they shared the stage with theatre veterans Neace, Woodham, Bengochea, and Kezios.
Number two: Tonight’s performance was attended by a large and vocal group of students from McQueen High School’s Drama Club. Why is this worth mentioning? Well, in November 2017 McQueen’s Royal Lancer Players had performed their own production of Steel Magnolias. Among the group of students in tonight’s audience, some had played the roles of their RLT counterparts. It was a magical experience to observe two generations of performers laugh and cry together as they relived the heart-wrenching and beautiful homage Playwright Robert Harling wrote in memory of his sister who passed away due to complications from Type-1 diabetes.
Number three: Tonight’s performance was only a dress rehearsal! Opening night is January 19th and the performance will be followed by a free “party on the stage” with drinks, appetizers, and your chance to mingle with the Magnolias!
Steel Magnolias runs from January 19th-February 11th, 2018. Evening performance times are Doors at 7:00 pm and Show at 7:30 pm. Matinee performance times are Doors at 1:30 pm and Show at 2:00 pm. Tickets are Adult: $25, Senior/Military: $20, and Student: $15. There is also a Pay-What-You-Can option for the January 20th Matinee showing. Do not miss your chance at watching the stage adaptation of the film you know and love.
For ticket sales and inquiries, please use: https://tickets.renolittletheater.org/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent208.html
