Audition for ‘Steel Magnolias’

Auditions for the comedy “Steel Magnolias,” by Robert Harling, are from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, Jan. 19 and 21, with callbacks at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, in the Black Box Theater of The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St.

The first read-through will be scheduled during the last week of January, and rehearsals will begin Feb. 2. Nine performances run weekends April 17-May 3 on the main stage.

The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, La., where all the ladies who are anybody come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser; an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby, is about to marry a “good ol’ boy.”

The play moves toward tragedy when the spunky Shelby, who is diabetic, risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength - and love.

Director Kasey Jean Tunell is looking for six women, ages 17-70, who can portray witty, intelligent and, above all, real characters. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Character descriptions follow: