by Aaron Hendren
Daily Lobo
The off-Broadway production "Steel Magnolias" was wowing audiences before the movie starring Julia Roberts was made.
The movie might be known as a chick flick, but cast member Kathleen Conry said people should know the stage version of "Steel Magnolias" is not for a specific gender.
"Men might get dragged there, but by the time the play is over, they're really glad they came," Conry said.
She said men will prefer the play to the movie because of its personal connection with the audience and because the characters are so much more involved.
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Conry plays M'Lynn Eatenton, made famous in the movie version by actress Sally Field.
Playwright and screenwriter Robert Harling wrote "Steel Magnolias" in 10 days in memory of his sister who died after a difficult pregnancy. He wrote it so his nephew could know his mother.
The play follows three generations of southern women gathered at Truvy's Beauty Salon for hairdos, gossip and unwavering friendship.
There are other differences between the movie and the play.
Conry said all of the characters live in a beauty shop, and though other locations are spoken of, nothing outside of the beauty shop is shown.
"Playing the show in the single set of the beauty salon is actually easier," she said. "I would think the comfort zone of familiarity plays a very important role in the telling of the story - the safety of the location and easiness of letting go."
She said the cast of "Steel Magnolias" seems more real to audience members because they are not distracted by the magnitude of celebrity in the movie.
"I think that is why many audiences like the stage version better," Conry said. "When they see it, they aren't faced with the star power of the movie and can take in the show more honestly."
"Steel Magnolias"
Popejoy Hall
Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
277-3824
