PHAMALY presents “Steel Magnolias” January 9, 2009

PHAMALY kicks off its 20th anniversary season with
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
By Robert Harling
Directed by Nick Sugar
Artistic Director Steve Wilson

Truvy’s Beauty Salon is the unofficial hub of Chinquapin, La. It is here that these softhearted “magnolias” with the steely disposition come to chitchat with, counsel, criticize and comfort one another. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (Briana Berthiaume), who is not sure whether or not she is still married, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy (Leslie Rusher) dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser (Regan Linton), ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Amber Marsh), who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn (Lucy Roucis), whose daughter, Shelby (Lyndsay Palmer), is about to marry a "good ole boy." “Steel Magnolias” is alternately hilarious and touching. The play focuses on the camaraderie of these six Southern women who talk, gossip, needle and harangue each other through the best of times - - and comfort and repair one another through the worst.

PHAMALY presents “Steel Magnolias” at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora previewing Friday January 9; opening Saturday January 10 and runs Friday & Saturday @ 7:30pm, Sunday @ 2pm, Thursdays Jan 22 & 29 @ 7:30pm through January 31, 2009. Audio description & Sign Interpretation, Sun. Jan 18 @ 2pm with a talk back after this performance. Tickets are $24 full; $22 seniors, students, military, PHAMALY members; $20 PHAMALY subscribers and Aurora Fox subscribers (single ticket price additional $22); $18 groups (call Gloria Shanstrom 303-931-7241) Thursday night special buy one full price ticket @ $24 and get the 2nd for ½ price $12 (limited seating available) *plus $2 service charge per ticket. Group tickets call (303) 931-7241
Box Office 303-739-1970 or online at www.aurorafox.org
Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Robert Harling was inspired to write his first play after his sister Susan died of complications from diabetes. “Steel Magnolias” premiered off-Broadway at the WPA Theater in 1987, then quickly transferred to the Lucille Lortel Theater and became an instant sensation, running for three years and spawning a hit movie. Harling wrote the hilarious spoof "Soapdish" (1991), which reteamed him with Sally Field, as a soap opera diva whose off-screen life was as outrageous as her onscreen one. He also adapted "The First Wives Club" (1996) and made his directorial debut later that same year with "The Evening Star," based on Larry McMurtry’s novel.

PHAMALY’s mission is to enable people with disabilities to showcase their talents and abilities through live productions and to make the performing arts more accessible to everyone. Each actor is physically or developmentally disabled, some are blind, others hearing-impaired and several are in wheelchairs. Their disabilities include Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Spinal Cord injuries, Cerebral Palsy and others.

In its 20-year existence, PHAMALY has gained national recognition and received numerous honors including the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2006 the company was honored with two Denver Post Ovation Awards and received National recognition with a profile of “The Wiz” on PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. The company’s inspirational 2005 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was named Best Musical of 2005 by The Denver Post; one of the top ten productions of 2005 by the Rocky Mountain News and Best Overall Production of 2005 by the Daily Camera. For more information go to www.phamaly.org

Clockwise from top left (Left to Right in each photo) - Regan Linton and Amber Marsh; Lucy Roucis and Briana Berthiaume; entire cast; Leslie Rusher and Lyndsay Palmer