Cast named for ‘Steel Magnolias’

The Phipps Center is staging “Steel Magnolias,” the comedy-drama by Robert Harling, April 17-May 3.

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 (Clara Ashwood, Hudson), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy (Charlotte Kodner, Apple Valley) dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser (Mary Amel, Woodbury); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Diana Swanson, Lake Elmo), who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn (Ruth Mandsager, Lauderdale), whose daughter, Shelby (Mariah Christensen, St. Paul), is about to marry a “good ol’ boy.”

Director Kasey Tunell staged “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “The Cemetery Club” for The Phipps, the female version of “The Odd Couple” for River Falls Community Theatre, as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” for Theatre of the Spirit. She has a BFA in theater management and direction from UW-Superior and has worked as a director and stage manager in the Twin Cities area and the Duluth area during the last 12 years.

“Steel Magnolias” runs April 17-May 3 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. on the main stage. Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for all students, with a $2 discount for the opening weekend, and a $2 discount for seniors on the Sunday matinees. For reservations, contact The Phipps ticket office at (715) 386-8409 or visit www.ThePhipps.org.

Tags: entertainment, hudson, phipps, play, steel_magnolias