Strong, Southern women shine in ECC's 'Steel Magnolias'
When it was time to choose the fall play at Elgin Community College, director Susan A. Robinson decided on a comical yet moving production audiences would recognize by its name. She chose Robert Harling's 1987 play "Steel Magnolias," an acclaimed production made famous through its film adaptation starring Julia Roberts.
The play opens Friday, Nov. 4, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 13, at the ECC Arts Center in Elgin.
The stage will be transformed into Truvy's Beauty Salon situated in small-town Louisiana where six women share the trials and triumphs of life while getting their hair and nails done. Harling based the play on real women he knew, and it serves as a tribute to his sister.
"These are really strong, really smart southern women who've lived through a lot of things," explained Robinson, who says her cast has worked hard to nail down accents with a dialect coach.
"Regardless of what life throws at them, they live their lives fully instead of letting that stop them."
Amanda Schiferl, 25, of South Elgin, is an ECC graduate who will play the part of recently widowed Clairee.
"She lost her husband of 50 years, so she's trying to figure out her place in this town without him," said Schiferl, who is pursuing technical certification in welding at ECC.
"I've done a lot of backstage work, and that's what my degree is in - theater design and technology," Schiferl said. "I thought I'd audition to try something new, so here I am, and I'm actually the props designer for the show as well."
The play will be performed in ECC's SecondSpace Theatre, a 150-seat venue. Every seat is a good seat in the house, according to Robinson, and those who attend may choose from one of seven performances. The show is just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
"I want people to come out and have a relaxing evening in a nice, intimate house," Robinson said.
This is Robinson's third year as head of the theater program and her fourth time directing. She is currently the only full-time faculty member in the theater program at ECC, and strives hard to publicize shows.
"We need more people to come out and see the work that we do," Robinson said.
The actors in the play not only had to memorize lines and block scenes, some had to become credible beauticians as well.
"They've worked really hard to inhabit these characters," Robinson said. "They've learned how to do manicures and how to style hair."
In a nutshell, the play touches on love, life, and the strong ties of friendship.
"It is about how we lean on our community to get us through whatever life sends our way," Robinson said.
Other cast members include Ashley Gates of Bartlett; Stephanie Fillion of St. Charles; Karen Almanza, Wendy Madrigal, Treasure Lindsay and Jovanna Franco of Elgin; and Tamara Gurrola of Crystal Lake.
Tickets are $9-$11. Visit tickets.elgin.edu.
If you go
What: Elgin Community College's production of "Steel Magnolias"
When: Friday, Nov. 4 through Sun. Nov. 13. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Where: SecondSpace Theater in ECC Arts Center (Building H), 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
Tickets: $11 for adults; $9 for students and seniors.
To purchase: Online at <a href="http://tickets.elgin.edu">tickets.elgin.edu</a> or at the ECC Arts Center box office, open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The box office is only open 90 minutes prior to the performance on Fridays. Call (847) 622-0300.