Steel Magnolias

Dark mode
Cover
Scenes
Cast & Creative
Multimedia
Latest News
Large font size
Save program

Steel Magnolias - Morris Theatre Guild Stage Mag

Steel Magnolias

Presented at:


By Robert Harling Directed by: James Welch Assist Dir: John Marsaglia




Originally produced by the W.P.A. Theatre, New York City, 1987. (Kyle Renick, Artistic Director)

Scenes

Place: Chinquapin, Louisiana

ACT ONE:

Scene I: April

Scene II: December

ACT TWO:

Scene I: June, eighteen months later

Scene II: November

Cast

Tamara Malebranche

Truvy

Kylie Atkins

Shelby

Michelle Hainline

M’Lynn Eatenton

Katie Varland

Annelle

Stephanie Gubelman

Clairee

Jennifer Meiners

Ouiser

Director's Note

This is the third time I have directed Steel Magnolia's. Something keeps bringing me back to it. Yes, it is a timeless classic that tends to fill the seats. But it goes much deeper. Steel Magnolia's transcends a spirit of friendship and love that is truly special. The relationship and bonds between these characters is truly inspirational. As is the special love between a mother and daughter in the face of mortality. I don't believe a person can experience this production without feeling changed. This cast is extraordinary. I am so proud of each and every one of them.

I truly hope you enjoy our presentation of, Steel Magnolias.

Creative Team

Jim Welch

Director

John Marsaglia

Assistant Director

Brian Pross

Technical Director

Rebecca West

Stage Manager

Jason Hainline

Head Set construction

Matt Pasternak, Michelle Hainline, Kylie Atkins, John Marsaglia

Set Construction

Support the Arts

LEVELS OF SUPPORT

Stage Hand	$0.01	$99.99
Actor	$100.00	$249.99
Director	$250.00	$499.99
Producer	$500.00	AND UP

Thank you to our donors for your support!

Producer:

Forrest

McCormack

Actor:

Karen

Marsaglia

Stage Hands:

Arlene	Kaminski	Gina	Carrier
Barbara	Nielsen	Jacob	Roller
Becky	Scaman	Krystal	Olivier
Bruce	Jones	Kylie	Atkins
Charlyn	Gowler	Lisa	Bruno
Christina	Van Yperen	Margaret	Marsaglia
Diana	Jenkins	Melinda	Hogan
Diana	Wynn	Nicole	Schaeffer
Eric	Johnston	Paul	Page
Victoria	Szczypkowski	Robert	Marsaglia

Special Thank You

Morris Theatre Guild would like to thank the following for support in offering expertise, props and other support to make this production a success:

Rob, Karen and Margaret Marsaglia

Erika Welch

Vermillion Players

Stage 212

Influence Salon

Midwest Signworks

Barb Jett

Robert Harling made his directorial debut with "The Evening Star" for Paramount, which he also wrote for the screen based on Larry McMurty’s novel. "The Evening Star" reunited Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson and co-stars Juliette Lewis, Bill Paxton, Scott Wolf, Miranda Richardson, and Marion Ross. "The Evening Star" is the continuation of one of the most beloved and acclaimed movies of our time, "Terms of Endearment." Before launching a successful stage and screenwriting career, Robert graduated from Tulane University School of Law, but instead of taking the bar exam, he opted to become an actor in New York. After years of productive work as an actor in voiceovers and commercials, Harling was inspired to write the highly acclaimed stage play STEEL MAGNOLIAS, which was based on events from his personal life. STEEL MAGNOLIAS continues to thrive in theatrical productions throughout the world. Immediately bridging a career from stage to screen, Harling adapted his original play into the popular film of the same title, which starred Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah. Over the years, Mr. Harling has become a much sought-after screenwriter: other credits, to name a few, include "Soapdish," which was based on Harling’s acting experience and starred Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robert Downey Jr., and "FIRST WIVES CLUB" for Paramount, starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton.

Meet the Company

Tamara Malebranche

Truvy

Tamara is excited to be back at Morris Theatre Guild and excited to portray the role of Truvy. Tamara has been in numerous productions at MTG and even assists with lights and sound when she can not dedicate the time required to be on stage. She thanks her family for the support.

Kylie Atkins

Shelby

Kylie is no stranger to the Guild, having appeared in past productions such as Godspell and The Great Beyond. She has performed in numerous shows, most often as a featured dancer. Some of her favorites include Stage 212’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Engle Lane’s Catch Me If You Can and The Wedding Singer. Kylie felt she shined the most in roles including Little Red in Into the Woods, Morgan in Godspell, and Daughter in Trail to Oregon. In addition to performing, she has contributed choreography for shows such as Trail to Oregon and Godspell, and is incredibly excited to bring her talents back to Stage 212 for their 2026 off-season musical. Beyond the stage, Kylie has also been recruited to offer her skills as a makeup artist for productions such as Chicago, Mystic Pizza, and Shrek. When Kylie is not on stage, she enjoys spending time with her two adorable cats and crafting, or playing cozy video games. She wants to thank everyone dearly who has supported her through her acting journey dating all the way back to when she started in 2016. Her favorite quote that always keeps her moving forward is a beautiful piece by poet Erin Hansen: “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” Please don’t be afraid to laugh, cry, and most importantly, enjoy the show!

Michelle Hainline

M’Lynn Eatenton

I’m very excited to be performing in my first show with the Morris Theatre Guild! I’ve been a Morris resident for the past 15 years. Theater has always been a large part of my life. I’ve performed in many local venues, such as Engle Lane Theatre in Streator, Stage 212 in LaSalle, Indian Valley Theatre in Sandwich, and The Pop of Players. This is my second time performing in Steel Magnolias and truly one of my favorite roles. A big thank you to my husband for his constant support…my lovely cast mates for creating the bonds of friendship between women…and my mother, who inspired me to get on the stage in the first place.

Katie Varland

Annelle

Katie is delighted to be making her debut at the Morris Theatre Guild with her portrayal of Annelle in this production of Steel Magnolias. This will also be her return to the stage after nearly four years! Katie’s previous acting credits include portraying the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Baroness Elsa von Schraeder in The Sound of Music, Lisa in Mamma Mia, and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma. Katie is a resident of Morris, moving here in 2023, after she began working at Morris Community High School as the art and ceramics teacher, where she still works currently. She has two felonious cats who she loves to dress up for Christmas cards, and she just returned from her first trip to New York to see Chess and Death Becomes Her on Broadway. She’d like to give a shoutout to any of her students who might be here today, and say a thank you to her family for their love and support.

Stephanie Gubelman

Clairee

Stephanie is returning the the Morris Theater Guild stage after several years. She has recently retired and was anxious to get back on stage. She started out with the Theater Guild in David and Lisa and went on to perform in On Golden Pond, Right Bed, Wrong Husband and First Night. She was also in the musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up. Her dream role is to portray the wicked in The Wizard of Oz. Stephanie enjoy spending time with her grandkids Miller and Maeve and traveling. She thanks her family for supporting her return to the stage and Jim for giving her the opportunity.

Jennifer Meiners

Ouiser

Jennifer has earned an associate's degree in acting from Joliet Junior College and a bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago with a major in acting and a minor in fiction writing. She has been featured in many plays at JJC including The Rimers of Eldritch, The Vagina Monologues, Beyond Therapy, Desdemona, and Talking With. At the Morris Theatre Guild Jennifer has been in Seeing Stars in Dixie, And Then They Came for Me, The Drowning Girls, and On Clover Road. In addition, Jennifer has lived in Las Vegas, NV and performed in several films with Dark Water Productions including Atelophobia, Afflict, and The Killer Monroes. In her spare time Jennifer enjoys writing stories, reading, watching movies, and crocheting. Jennifer would like to thank her professors for everything they taught her and her family and friends for their love and unending support. Hope you enjoy the show!