My initial proposal to the Board of Directors included an abstract, hand-drawn set and primary colors assigned to each of the six characters. I wanted the focus to be on the actors and the dialogue. My first phone call was to Denise Glicker, who agreed to be my Assistant Director. Denise hopes to direct someday and this would be a great opportunity for her to get hands-on experience.
On January 9th, the first day of auditions, it snowed in Lady Lake. The following day, the weather improved. Over two dozen women were asked to give a dramatic interpretation on classic disco songs. Just imagine a judge handing down a death sentence with "Shake, Shake, Shake. Shake your Booty!"
The show was cast by January 12th, 2010. I have had the privilege and please to share many a stage with each of the women who accepted their roles.
Chasteen Mulllins has been my muse for many years: We've been working together since 2003, playing a married couple in two of Neil Simon's plays, Prisoner of 2nd Avenue and Rumors. Chasteen would have no trouble at all going from the outrageous Cookie Cusak, a women in her early 50s, to the 20-something wallflower Annelle Dupuy.
Robyn Sennott and her mother Valeria were cast in Lionel Bart's Oliver! in the 2008-2009 season at the Melon Patch in Leesburg, Florida. These two had me in stitches at the auditions and continue to be two of my favorite people to work with. Robyn accepted the pivotal role of Truvy Jones, while her mom handled Clairee Belcher with poise and charm.
Tracy McCoy and I worked together in Cabaret at the Ice House in Mount Dora (back when she was still Tracy White). And she was "MJ" in Inspecting Carol. The newlywed McCoy moved me to tears at the auditions and was an obvious choice for Shelby Eatonton-Latcherie.
Ruthann Proch played M'Lynn Eatonton in Leesburg a few years back. Not only did Reuthann look like Tracy's mother but her audition also produced tears from me and my assistant director.
Rounding out the cast was Ginny Mortillaro, whom I had just meet during Music Man. Ginny was the memorable mayor's wife, Eulalee Shinn ("One Grecian urn . . . !"), and she agreed to tackle the ornery Ouiser Boudreaux. It's a challenge for someone so nice to play mean.
We had our initial red-through on Monday, January 25th. The cast began bringing in costumes in their assigned primary colors throughout rehearsals. Within two weeks, the play was blocked and we began running scenes. During our third week of rehearsals, our Shelby announced that she was pregnant. This is called method acting. The cast was as delirious as Tracy and her husband.
Rehearsals included a cast sleepover at Robyn's house. While Denise ran the rehearsal, I met with Bob Mullins, who had agreed to record a radio disc jockey for KPPD. Two short scripted monologues are included in Robert Harling's script; we added a couple more to cover scene changes in Act One.
In eight days, the set was built and painted, and the cast could begin tripping over a tri-level spa, including a couch, desk, shelves and two salon chairs. The cast and crew have yet to make it through a final scene without crying. Fortunately, there are many laughs along the way, and a couple of good guffaws toward the end. This is a wonderful script, filled with laughter and tears, and I have a wonderful cast and crew to help bring the play to life.
And did I mention I'm having auditions for Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella on March 20, 21, & 22, 2010 a the Melon Patch in Leesburg, Florida. See, I am crazy. And loving it!
Wm Andre' Provencher
Director, Steel Magnolias
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Steel Magnolias will be performed at Franklin Pearce, Jr. Auditorium, 17404 Sixth Street, Montverde, FL 34765, March 4-14, 2010. Thursday performances at 7:00pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday matinee at 2:00pm.
Thursday, March 11th will be Audience Participation Night where audience members will be encouraged to recite their favorite lines along with the cast during the performance.
Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for students/seniors, group discounts are available. For tickets and information, call (352) 435-5415 or email reservations@communityartsconnection.com
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