Summerset Theatre continues its 46^th season on July 9 with the funny and moving play Steel Magnolias. The quintessential story of family and friendship in a unique Southern sisterhood, Steel Magnolias is a skillfully crafted portrayal of eccentricity, loyalty and love set in a small-town beauty parlor in Louisiana. This humorously revealing play will take you on an emotional journey filled with laughter and tears.

Randy Forster directs Steel Magnolias as well as designing the set. The lighting designer is Jim Mallek. The sound designer is Kristine Iverson. The costumes are by Susan V. Hansen. Props are by Ruth Smith and Emma Waters. Melissa Johnson is the stage manager.

"I have loved this play for years and I am thrilled to be directing it for Summerset,” said director Randy Forster. “Steel Magnolias really is a modern American classic that is witty, charming, sensitive and very moving."

Forster continues, “"The bond and friendship that these six southern women experience in Chinquapin, Louisiana will truly make you laugh and cry. As an audience member, I hope you will experience a fraction of the joy that I have experienced while working on this production with such a talented cast of women."

Steel Magnolias stars recent Austin High School graduate Breonna Bergstrom as Annelle, Emily Bartley Miller as Truvy, Lisa Deyo as Clairee, current Riverland student Jessica Williams as Shelby, Riverland Theatre faculty member Susan V. Hansen as M’Lynn, and Riverland Massage Therapy faculty member Kris Graff as Ouiser.

"Everyone is familiar with the iconic 1989 film version of Steel Magnolias,” says Forster. “Most people do not realize that Robert Harling wrote the play first in just 10 days and it is based on events that were inspired by his own sister who lost her life to diabetes in 1985. The play was an instant off-Broadway hit and has been performed around the globe and has been translated into at least 17 different languages. The main difference from the movie is that the entire action of the play takes place in Truvy's Beauty Shop and throws a spotlight on just the women."

Steel Magnolias will open on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Other performances are July 10, 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 p.m. All performances are held at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin campus of Riverland Community College.

Individual tickets to Steel Magnolias are $13 for adults and $9 for children age 16 and under. Tickets are currently on sale at the Summerset Theatre Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Riverland Community College Austin campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu. Starting this season, tickets are also available for purchase online at www.summersetaustin.org and the Summerset Theatre box office is able to accept all major credit cards.

Steel Magnolias is appropriate for all ages. Summerset Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists. Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.