Theatre of Western Springs presents 'Steel Magnolias'

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) presents the first Mainstage play of its 88th season, “Steel Magnolias,” written by Robert Harling and directed by Sheila Landahl.

Performances take place from Sept. 8-18 at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. The play is suitable for adult audiences.

Schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – September 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
• 2:30 p.m. Sundays, September 11, 18
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 17
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 11

“Steel Magnolias” debuted off-Broadway on March 22, 1987. Playwright Harling wrote the entire script in ten days as a way to celebrate his sister while coping with the tragedy of her death.

He wrote it as a drama but as more and more audiences came to see it, it became clear to him and to the cast that all of the characters in the play were genuinely funny – sharp, funny, real women trading one-liners, sharing the everyday joys of life and holding each other up during times of almost unbearable grief. Remarkable and unstoppable, these women were indeed beautiful. They were strong Southern magnolias made of steel.

Tickets are $20 and $22. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or go to theatrewesternsprings.com. Free parking is available.

Director Sheila Landahl

After having studied at Ecole Etienne Decrous in Paris, France, Landahl returned to the Dallas, Texas, area and worked for the Addison Centre Theatre, the Dallas Theater Center, the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, the Teatro Dallas and the Undermain Theatre, where she directed “Almost Asleep” by Julie Hebert. Also at the Undermain Theatre, she appeared in the “Red Plays” as Moira McOc and for that performance she received the Dallas Critics Forum Award for Best Actress.

Landahl completed her M.A. in Voice Studies at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. In addition, she earned her M.F.A. in Classical Acting with the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting at The George Washington University.

The year after Hurricane Katrina hit, Landahl joined the faculty at Loyola University New Orleans as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

At the Theatre of Western Springs, she was the dialect coach for “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Is He Dead,” “Woman in Black,” “Trip to Bountiful” and “Dracula.”

Landahl said her mother passed away recently and while sorting through her things she came upon a small picture of a luminous guardian angel following two children who were crossing a bridge. In the final scene of “Steel Magnolias,” Annelle speaks of Shelby after her passing:

“……..her poor body was just worn out. It wouldn’t let her do everything she wanted to do. So she went on to a place where she could be a guardian angel. She will always be young. She will always be beautiful. And I personally feel much safer knowing she’s up there on my side.”

It is generally understood that Robert Harling wrote this wildly popular play so that his late sister’s son, born under similar circumstances as Shelby’s, would know his mother, his guardian angel.

Several years ago, Landahl moved to Western Springs to help care for her father who was suffering from dementia. Shortly thereafter he passed away soon to be followed by her mother a few years later. It was truly a gift for Sheila to have spent the first years of her life and the last years of theirs with them.

"I took on the job of directing 'Steel Magnolias' as a tribute to both of my parents, my guardian angels," Landahl said. "This play examines and celebrates the beauty of everyday life, shared with those we love unconditionally. Throw in some great one-liners and lovely actresses with big hair and shoulder pads and you have the makings for quite an evening."

Playwright Robert Harling

Robert Harling was born in Dothan, Alabama. His family moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, when he was a teenager. He attended Northwestern State University and from there, he went on to obtain a law degree from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans.

In 1978, with his unused law degree, he announced to his family that he was moving to New York City to become a tap dancer. He worked at fast food restaurants and auditioned for acting jobs in television commercials. He never intended to become a lawyer, and he certainly never intended to become a writer.

When his sister Susan died in 1985 as a result of complications from diabetes, Harling was devastated and furious. He ranted to a playwright friend of his, and that friend kept saying, “Write it down!” So he did.

At first, he wrote “Steel Magnolias” as a short story, something to provide his nephew and namesake with a sense of his past. This short story grew into the well known play that has been translated in 17 languages including Japanese, Chinese, French, Swedish, Spanish and Italian and more.

March of 2017 will mark the 30th anniversary of the debut of “Steel Magnolias” at the WPA Theatre in New York City. Within six months of its opening, Harling tackled the screenplay. In November of 1989, the movie opened and Robert Harling appeared in the film as the minister who officiated at Shelby’s wedding and funeral – no audition required.

CAST

Annelle - Elizabeth Ley of Glenview

Clairee - Kathy Kovarik of Chicago

M’Lynn - Kathy Kusper of Hinsdale

Ouiser - Lori D’Asta of La Grange

Shelby - Elyse Polickey of La Grange

Truvy - Cheryle McKay of Oak Brook

CREW

Director - Sheila Landahl of Chicago

Stage Manager – Tina Shelley of Brookfield

Assist. Stage Man. –Mary Kuhn of Naperville

Assist. Stage Man. –Diana Visk of Riverside

Tech Director – Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Costumes – Cindy Blaszak of La Grange

Costumes – Julie Tomek Campo of Darien

Costumes – Camille Budach of Downers Grove

Costumes – Diane Baschetti of Willowbrook

Dramaturg – Michael Huth of La Grange Park

Hair – Michael-Colin Reed of Forest Park

Hospitality – Joe Mills of Westchester

House Manager – Mike Janke of Downers Grove

Lights – Cal Turner of Naperville

Makeup – Nancy Belda of Downers Grove

Makeup – Arlene Page of Burr Ridge

Prod. Coord. – Janet Gassman of Western Springs

Program Editor – Ashley Kennedy of La Grange Park

Program Editor – Ed Barrow of Hinsdale

Props – Sharon Sobotka of Hinsdale

Publicity – Kathy Kovarik of Chicago

Set Construction – John Bademan of Hinsdale

Set Design – Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Set Painting – Suzy Kruekeberg of Oak Brook

Set Painting – Stacy McCargo of Western Springs

Sound – Joe Mills of Westchester

Producer - Eddie Sugarman of Western Springs

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs.
Photo by Bill Hammack.