Arts & Entertainment

Belles and beauticians

Feisty but flawed, Keegan’s ‘Magnolias’ production revives classic ‘80s dramedy

Published

14 years ago

July 28, 2011

Patrick Folliard

‘Steel Magnolias’
Through Aug. 21
Keegan Theatre at Church Street
1742 Church Street, N.W.
$30-$35
703-892-0202

From left, Sheri Herren, Larissa Gallagher, Jane Petkofsky and Brianna Letourneau in Keegan Theatre’s production of ‘Steel Magnolias.’ (Photo by Jim Coates; courtesy of Keegan)

Before it was a hit film, “Steel Magnolias” won kudos and enjoyed a long and successful run as an off-Broadway play. Written by Robert Harling in response to his younger sister’s death, this drama wrapped in comedy explores solidarity in adversity and the resilience of women, particularly southern women. Keegan Theatre is now offering its own take on the popular work.

The story unfolds entirely in Truvy’s hair salon, a small town Louisiana beauty bastion inhabited exclusively by females, and while both stylists and clients frequently refer to their men who have names like Drum and Spud, the audience never actually meets them. At Truvy’s, women are able to let their hair down. In between shampoos and comb outs, they not only gossip but also share hopes and disappointments.

“Steel Magnolias’” more serious side concerns regular clients M’Lynn and daughter Shelby. The mother is justly worried about her diabetic offspring who marries young and proceeds to get pregnant against doctors’ advice. It’s a lot like a very long episode of the Atlanta-set sitcom “Designing Women” (fittingly Delta Burke was featured in Steel Magnolia’s all-star Broadway 2005 revival) with glib Southern white women dishing, bitching and commiserating. Only here someone dies.

Directed by Mark Rhea, the ensemble cast includes Sheri Herren and real life daughter Laura Herren as M’Lynn and Shelby. Linda High and Jane Petkofsky play cranky spitfire Ouiser and rich widow Clairee, respectively. As Truvy, Larissa Gallagher chats and does hair (in fact, she successfully tortures the big blonde wig that Herrin’s Shelby wears in act one into a respectable wedding up do); and Brianna Letourneau’s Annelle — Truvy’s anxious assistant — evolves markedly throughout the play’s four scenes but regrettably retains her questionable sartorial taste. She trades a frumpy polyester dress for a cowgirl getup.

There are some problems: The cast’s Louisiana accents are all over the place and the pacing of the show is inexplicably uneven. And while some of the actors have chosen to underplay their parts, others are going at it full throttle. Admirably, some of the cast are struggling to portray real characters and not simply caricatures, but given the material it’s not easy.

The play’s intimate setting is well-suited for the cozy Church Street Theater. Trena Weiss-Null’s set design isn’t the tacky beauty box one might expect, but rather a typical modest ‘80s salon with mint-green marbleized walls and black and gray stations. Similarly, costume designer Erin Nugent dresses the ladies in leggings, boxy power suits and other items totally redolent of the era.

A bona fide chick flick, the 1989 film version starring Sally Field and Julia Roberts as mother and daughter is also beloved by a lot of gay men, some of whom can irritatingly rattle off chunks of the film’s dialogue verbatim. Memorable lines include: Truvy’s “All gay men have track lighting and are name Rick, Mark or Steve,” and Ouiser’s “I’m not crazy M’Lynn. I’ve just been in a bad mood for the last 40 years!”

When “Steel Magnolias” opened in 1987 at the Lucille Lortel in Greenwich Village, theatergoers enjoyed meeting these feisty belles and their southern fried phrases, but certainly Shelby’s decision to fearlessly live life in the shadow of death’s specter must have resonated strongly with gay audiences who were around for some of the grimmest years of the AIDS crisis. More than two decades later, the play might feel a little stale, but that courageous spirit still resonates.

Related Topics:Keegan Theatre Out & About Steel Magnolias

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Love board games and looking for love?

Published

1 day ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Image by VLADGRIN/Bigstock)

Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.

Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?

Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.

At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.

Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: January 16-22

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

January 16, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 16

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 17

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, January 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, January 19

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Tuesday, January 20

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Wednesday, January 21

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, January 22

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Sports

Capitals to host 10th annual Pride night

Pre-game block party planned at District E

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Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.

Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.