'Steel Magnolias' stage play to feature Gulf Breeze woman

Stage Crafters Community Theatre Inc.’s performances of “Steel Magnolias” are Aug. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday. [Pixabay.com]

FORT WALTON BEACH — Stage Crafters Community Theatre, Inc., Fort Walton Beach’s nonprofit theatre, will present “Steel Magnolias," featuring Gulf Breeze's Jennifer King, in August.

The action is set in Truvy Jones' beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the wise-cracking Truvy dispenses hairstyles and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser Boudreaux, an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee Belcher, and the local social leader, M’Lynn Eatenton, whose daughter, Shelby, the prettiest girl in town, is about to marry a “good ole boy.”

The play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky and diabetic Shelby risks pregnancy knowing she may lose her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others but also draws on their underlying strength and love.

Melissa Wolf-Bates directs the play written by Robert Harling.

The cast includes: 

  • Truvy Jones — Chris LaPorta (Niceville)
  • Annelle Dupuy DeSoto — Kerry Duval (Fort Walton Beach)
  • Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie — Dee Mann (Niceville)
  • M'Lynn Eatenton — Stephani Siberski (Niceville)
  • Clairee Belcher — Jennifer King (Gulf Breeze)
  • Ouiser Boudreaux — Nancy Kruzek (Fort Walton Beach)
Performances are Aug. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday. 

Tickets cost $20 and are available at www.StageCraftersFWB.com, by phone at 243-1101, or at the door the night of the performance. Students pay $10 at the door.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'Steel Magnolias' stage play to feature Gulf Breeze woman