Famed comedy-drama hits local stage

Some familiar faces will be in the cast of “Steel Magnolias,” a play that will be presented locally Feb. 15-17 at the Park Theatre Civic Centre in North Vernon.

Five of the six major roles in the well known comedy-drama are played by teachers in the Jennings County School Corp.

“Teachers are always ‘on stage’ and performing, so this just makes sense,” said Karen Chilman, chair of the Fine Arts Department at Jennings County High School.

“Steel Magnolias” was written by Robert Harling in 1987. The play is based on the true-life experiences of a group of women in Louisiana. The play was made into an award-winning movie in 1989.

“Although we had 21 try out for the play, these ladies are stellar actors,” added Chilman, who announced the leading cast members.

The lead actors and roles are:

Sarah Dillion, playing Shelby

Teresa Taylor, playing M’Lyn

Elizabeth Kirchner, playing Truvy

Callie Garrett, playing Anelle

Jill Stone, play Oiser

Nina Shoultz, playing Claree

“I haven’t laughed and cried so much at anything I’ve done in a long, long time. This play is about real life, and many of the women in this crew have experienced some of the same things that are in the play, and they bring their experiences with them to the stage,” Chilman said.

The North Vernon production of “Steel Magnolias” is a collaboration between the Jennings County High School Academy of Fine Arts and the Jennings County Players.

Chilman and Jennings County High School senior Morgan Manning are directing the production along with understudy director Cyrus Brewer.

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WHAT: Live theater production of the play "Steel Magnolias"

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16, 2 p.m. Feb. 17

WHERE: Park Theatre Civic Centre, 25 N. Madison, North Vernon

TICKETS: $8 in advance and $10 at the door for adults; kids in grades K-12 are $3, and preschool $1.

Tickets are on sale now at the Park Civic Theater during theater business hours. For more information call 812-346-0330.

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