Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

September 28, 2019
1 min read
Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

The Extraordinary Power of Friendship: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

They’re as beautiful and delicate as magnolia flowers, but also as tough as steel. 

A favorite Southern classic comes to life on stage at Fleming Island’s The Island Theater, and it’ll tickle you pink. Robert Harling’s 1987 play—most famous perhaps as a 1989 film starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, and Dolly Parton—invites us into the close-knit world of small-town Louisiana women as they share life’s ups and downs and support each other during the heart retching death of one of their own. Based on Harling’s experience with the death of his sister, the plotline is moving, powerful, and real. Steel Magnolias is a timeless testament to the human spirit, community, and the power of friendship. 

The set is simple- it takes place entirely in Truvy Jones’ 1980’s throwback beauty salon. Played by Mandy Sad, Truvy is the heart of the community and her salon serves as the ladies’ gathering place through happy times and sad. Through it all, their friendships—and beauty routines—remain. 

Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

Stacy Deuel plays quirky salon worker Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, “who may or may not be married to someone who might be a dangerous criminal.”

Mother/daughter pair M’Lynn Eatenton (Lynette Poupard) and Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Jayme Hillyer) create the central plotline. The play opens with Shelby’s upcoming marriage and ends with her death. Her life-threatening Type 1 diabetes threatens to upend her happiness and plans; how she deals with it and honors her doctor’s advice (or doesn’t) causes much tension and conflict between mother and daughter.

Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

Clairee Belcher (Ellen Hare) and Ouiser Boudreaux (Shelley Finn) round out the group of lively beauty shop regulars. They’re impossible not to love. 

Steel Magnolias is full of hilarious, with zippy one-liners, like “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize” and “If he’s trying to drive me crazy, it’s too late.”

 Laughter Through Tears: Steel Magnolias at the Island Theater

You’ll laugh and you’ll cry. The cast brings you along for an emotional roller coaster ride you’ll never forget.

Directed by Chera Bleau and Heather Stephens, Steel Magnolias runs from September 27-October 6. Whether you’re a long-time fan or unfamiliar with the story, it’ll fill your heart with hope. Ladies night! Let the nostalgia overcome you—you’ll feel like you’re home. Laughter through tears is our favorite emotion, and this play simply shouldn’t be missed. 

Jennifer Melville is a contributing writer for EU Jacksonville, South Magazine, Folio Magazine, Green Prints, Focus on the Family, and various other print and online publications. She’s a military wife, mother of four, and a leader in the NE Florida homeschooling community. You can check out more of her work on her website, Azalea Publications or follow her on Twitter.

Current Issue

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

SingOutLoadFestival_TheAmp_2025
liz-buys-houses-digital
generac-home-standby-generator-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Sarah Boone, Exectutive Director at Theatre Jacksonville, A Centennial Anniversary: Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco Celebrates 100 Years , Theatre Jax Little Theatre Playhouse
Previous Story

A Centennial Anniversary: Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco Celebrates 100 Years

Karai Ramen Bistro: Chef Levi Broadwell Working Hard to Get Each Recipe Right, Photo by Jill Cruz
Next Story

Karai Ramen Bistro: Chef Levi Broadwell Working Hard to Get Each Recipe Right

Latest from Feature

Get Your Golden Ticket to a Sweet Take on a Classic at the Alhambra

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE NEW MUSICAL is a very different take on the classic based on the book by Roald Dahl.  If you’re expecting the songs from the original musical or movie, for the most part, they have new counterparts.  When the show moved from the West End

Listen Locally

May 16  “Blest” – Yuno Former Jacksonville local artist Yuno dropped a new album “Blest” this spring. The album is a mix of eclectic, indie/dream-pop and is influenced by trap and rock with popular hits “Blest” and “True”. If you’re a fan of Steve Lacy and DJO, you should certainly

The Fourth of July: America’s Loudest, Proudest Day of Reckoning

Words by Teresa Spencer Every summer, on the fourth day of July, fireworks slice through the night sky, flags ripple in the humid air, and hot dogs vanish at an alarming rate. Beneath the parades and pyrotechnics, however, lies a radical idea that still crackles with revolutionary energy: that

Chaos Sells

Why your favorite brand wants you thinking about murder, nipples and the apocalypse  Words by Carmen Macri  We’re officially in the era of weird branding, where companies are getting riskier, louder and a hell of a lot funnier. The playbook hasn’t changed much — grab attention, be louder than
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

Major Awards for A Christmas Story at The Island Theater

Major Awards for A Christmas Story at The Island Theater

It’s the holiday season and options are abundant in the
A Fairy-Tale Delight: Into the Woods at The Island Theater 

A Fairy-Tale Delight: Into the Woods at The Island Theater 

Fairy-tale lovers, delight! Into the Woods at The Island Theater