Steel Magnolias at Draper Historic Theatre

Saturday night, I decided to go see Steel Magnolias at the Draper Historic Theatre.

I didn't want to go alone, so I asked my friend Michelle to join me. We tried to have dinner at Texas Roadhouse, but on a Saturday night, it was an 80 minute wait to be seated. We didn't have time to wait, so we went across the parking lot to T.G.I.Friday's, where the wait was only 10 minutes.

Michelle ended up recognizing the manager, and he comped her whole meal (how lucky!). If I was the manager of a restaurant, and I comped everyone I knew who ate at my restaurant, they would go broke. I teased her he probably has a crush on her. And really, why wouldn't he? She's gorgeous!



Look at all that hair!!!

My friend, Amy, met us at the theatre. This was the play that I was originally cast in, but then had to drop because of my babysitter drama. My other friend, Michele, was directing, and she graciously allowed me to step down. She had to step into the role that I left, but was the perfect Truvy!


Michele and I

It was a lot of fun to see how everything we had discussed during rehearsals eventually came together. The set looked just like a beauty parlor! I LOVED all the outfits worn by Truvy (played by my friend, Michele Rideout, who co-directed) AND her wigs. Michele was an excellent Truvy. 

During the first scene, I probably paid more attention to what Truvy was doing to Shelby's hair, than I was to the actual dialogue. While we were in rehearsal, we learned that a hairstylist would come by, to show us some basics on how to do hair. Truvy actually does a Princess Grace updo on Shelby, right on stage. Michelle did a fantastic job! It looked beautiful!

My other friend, (and director of the new play I am in for Poison Ivy Mysteries), Annelise,  played the part of Annelle. I laughed out loud at a couple of her outfits and hairstyles. It was SO funny when she came onstage eating a hot dog! It was interesting to see her transform from an intelligent capable woman, into her simple innocent character. And she was adorable pregnant!



Me and Annelise



I tried my best to be a good audience member, by laughing at all the funny parts. I didn't think I was laughing all that loud, but maybe the audience was full of quiet laughers. The cute gal who played Shelby, Amanda Adams Wright, (no relation, I don't think), said she knew I was in the audience, because she could hear me laughing. This play is full of funny one-liners.

Amanda was a vivacious and likable Shelby. Her real-life mother, Denise Adams, played Shelby's mother, M'Lynn. The mother-daughter dynamic was both realistic, and touching. Rebecca Martin was delightful as the sarcastic Clairee. And Claire Spencer was funny as the crotchety Ouiser. Overall, it was a very strong cast.

I honestly didn't think I would cry, since I already know the ending. But when the time came, I admit it. I shed a little tear.

Michelle, me, and Amy (hamming it up for the camera)

This is definitely a show you should see with your sisters, mom, or girl friends. There are two more shows, this Friday and Saturday night, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9.00.

After the play, Michelle, Amy, and I went to Club 90. One of our guitar players (Jeff) from Channel Z, plays in another band, the Hard Rockin Johnsons. They play (you guessed it) Hard Rock.

Jeff is on the far left

Turns out it was Mardi Gras. Jeff let Amy and me borrow some stuff for pictures.

We didn't even have to flash our boobs for these beads

And much to our delight, we saw our Channel Z posters all over the place. Can't wait for our gig there on March 2nd and 3rd!



Nobody recognized us