Steel Magnolias |
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By Robert Harling |
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Produced by Leilani Friday Assistant Produced by Kim Ball Directed by Nada Vaughn, Becky Norris Kuhn, & Mike Gahan |
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Sept 18th to Oct 4th, 2026 |
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at Port Tobacco Players Theater 508 Charles Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646 www.ptplayers.com |
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“Steel Magnolia” is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. (www.concordtheatricals.com) |
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The Port Tobacco Players are supported by grants from the Charles County Alliance, the Maryland State Arts Council, and agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural Community where the arts thrive, and by the Charles County Charitable |
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ABOUT THE PORT TOBACCO PLAYERS
“The Port Tobacco Players is an all-volunteer organization that puts the performing arts within reach of our community by offering quality productions that are entertaining, educational and though provoking. We train, invest in and support the next generation of theatre artists.”
It was in the days following the Second World War, when a weary America turned its eyes toward rebuilding, that the residents of the small but history-laden town of Port Tobacco looked across their town square at the burned rubble of their once-proud courthouse and decided to rebuild. During the winter of 1947, in the drawing room of Stagg Hall, a plan was conceived to raise money to aid the Port Tobacco Restoration Society in returning their town to its former glory. This group of artists, from Port Tobacco and nearby La Plata, set out to bring to the stage entertainment that would earn enough profit to continue their endeavor and provide for their cause. They spent the next twenty years performing in high school auditoriums, court rooms, village green... where anyone who wanted to see a play could do so. Their efforts paid off and the courthouse was restored.
In 1974 they found a new home—an old 1940’s movie theater owned by a local pharmacist was the ideal spot for a new beginning. They evolved into what they are known as today, a cultural staple in Charles County’s historic landscape. In 2002 another page turned in history when they raised the money to purchase and renovate their home. Returning to their roots, they performed on the road for two years before returning to 508 Charles Street in 2005. And in 2010, their home expanded to include a much needed rehearsal hall and space to store and construct costumes in-house.
Today the Port Tobacco Players perform six shows on their main stage and countless road productions with various ENCORE touring companies. The Port Tobacco Players are dedicated to continuing the tradition of providing quality theater to the citizens of Southern Maryland.
Board of Directors
President - Tara Waters
Vice President - Mike Gahan
Treasurer - Kyle Rappe
Secretary - Tiffany Behning
Kim Moore Bessler
Carol Charnock
Kim Danek
Ben Simpson
Stacey Swickert
Port Tobacco Players is proud to be a charter member of the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors. www.washingtontheater.org
Director's Note
Friends,
Welcome to the 2026 PTP production of Steel Magnolias. This is the third time we’ve produced this wonderful show because it speaks so well to the resilience of women and the importance of friendship. It hits us harder this time because in August, America lost the actress who originated the role of Truvy Jones in the 1989 movie and who was one of its most beloved actresses and philanthropists—Dolly Parton.
With everything going on in the world today, true friendships are vitally important. They help us celebrate our wins, support us in our losses, and serve as the glue that can hold us together when our world is falling apart.
These cast members have held each other together through a number of significant events and changes during this show, not the least of which was losing our original director, Nada Vaughn, to an illness that she’s still recovering from. These wonderful actresses have bonded through the various challenges and came through the turmoil stronger than ever. When the lights come up, it’s hard to imagine that they haven’t been friends for decades.
The backstage production team has also helped bring Steel Magnolias’ author Robert Harlan’s 1987 vision of the ladies of Chinquapin Parish, LA, together beautifully. Truvy’s Salon is an amusing portrayal of a 1980s carport-turned-beauty shop that the ‘ladies of the neighborhood’ would certainly find support and comfort in. Much thought has been put into everything from the costumes, to the music of the period, and even Annelle’s Christmas beauty-themed decorations.
One of the strongest messages of this play is that women who are given more than they thought they could handle can actually move mountains as long as they have friends they can rely on to help them with the lift.
Sit back, relax, and think of the friends you’ve had in your lifetime who have supported you through thick and thin as we take you into Truvy’s Salon and the lives of six amazing women.
Kim Danek, Stage Manager
SPECIAL THANKS
La Plata United Methodist Church, Nada Vaughn, Sarbajeet Das, Mary DeMarco-Logue and the Encore Kids, Carol Russel and her paint crew, Texxturz Salon, Texas Roadhouse, the front window display team (Isabelle Balakit, Kim Ball, Kelly Phipps, and Melody Sciarratta), Jodi Wilson, Betti’s Hair Salon, PTP Board of Directors, PTP Publicity, House Managers, the volunteer box office staff and ushers, and all who pitched in after the program went to print!
Cast
Production Crew
Producer......................................Leilani Friday, Kim Ball
Director........................................Nada Vaughn, Becky Norris Kuhn, Mike Gahan
Stage Manager.............................Kim Danek
Assistant Stage Manager.............Nazaria Dunlap
Stage Crew...................................Alex Brown, Chance Taylor
Set Design....................................Mike Gahan, Duke Berry
Set Construction...........................Duke Berry, James Berry
Set Painting...................................Kim Danek
Set Paint Crew...............................Foster Apple, Ymani Bailey, Carol Russell,
Kim Bessler, Kathy Mead, Kim Danek, Tiffany Dew
Lighting Design.............................Angela McLane Beryle
Lighting Operators........................Elle Orthner, Daniel Irwin
Sound Design................................Amanda Hastings
Sound Operator.............................Joe Morrison
Property Design.............................Kim Moore Bessler
Set Decoration Design...................Tiffany Dew, Shelby Floehr
Costume Design.............................Christy Orthner, Melody Sciarratta
Costume Crew................................Kalla Diggle, Bernice Rhodes, Carol Charnock
Hair & Make Up Design..................Danielle Ward
Hair & Make Up Crew......................Whitney Leveling-Valcarcel, Bernice Rhodes
Special Effects - Projections..........Jason Klonkowski
Show Art Design.............................Aiden C. Davis
Program Design..............................Jason Klonkowski
Photography....................................Mary DeMarco-Logue, Connie Murphy
Headshots......................................Jason Klonkowski
Creative Team
Kim Ball
Duke & James Berry
Kim Moore Bessler
Kim Danek
Tiffany Dew
Nazaria Dunlap
Shelby Floehr
Leilani Friday
Mike Gahan
Amanda Hastings
Jason Klonkowski
Becky Norris Kuhn
Angela McLane Beyrle
Christy Orthner
Melody Sciarratta
Danielle Ward
Meet the Company
Kim Moore Bessler
Kim is thrilled to be part of the cast of Steel Magnolias, her 37th opportunity to “…tread the boards” at PTP. Last summer, she had a great time playing Mae Peterson, the mother in PTP’s Bye, Bye Birdie. Kim recently portrayed St. Clare of Assisi’s mother in Colonial Players of Annapolis’ Poor Clare ‘…’from the ridiculous to the sublime!’ Her favorite past roles include Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace, Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman and Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. Kim has been nominated 9 times for WATCH awards in technical and performance categories, and has won 3 times, most recently, for “Outstanding Performance in a Cameo” for her portrayal of Rebecca Nurse in PTP’s The Crucible. Enjoy the show!!
Alyshia Bradley
Alyshia is a local 35 year old actress, author, and singer. She graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Urban Arts. She has been involved in local shows such as Rent, Once Upon a Mattress, and You Can’t Take It With You. She’d like to thank God, her husband, the cast and crew. “It is always a precious honor to create art with dear friends.”
Elena Galbraith
Elena is excited to return to PTP! She made her first appearance as Mrs. Wylie in last spring’s Lend Me a Soprano and fell in love with the PTP community. Elena and her husband moved to Lusby two years ago from Tucson, Arizona and are in love with Southern Maryland life. She appeared with Newtowne Players in their collaboration A Night on Broadway with COSMIC Symphony last year and sings with St. Maries Choral Arts. Elena is a graduate of Cornell University and has a Masters in Vocal Performance from Peabody Conservatory. She was a winner of the Northeast Region of the Metropolitan Opera Competition and the Pavarotti International Opera Competition and has appeared with Muhlenberg Summer Theater, Philadelphia Opera, Southern Arizona Light Opera, Washington Civic Opera, Miami Opera and Tulsa’s Discoveryland Theater. Her love of the theater runs in the family, with her father being her first director and both parents being actors. She is having the time of her life playing Clairee (hugs to her husband, David and 2 darling kitties, Bonnie and Clyde).
Joanne Fuesel
Joanne has costumed actors twice for this show and was incredibly excited to be offered the opportunity to be a part of one of her favorite plays. Recent credits include the role of the Big Stone in the Euridice at the Hard Bargain in Indian Head, Brabantio in the Port Tobacco Players Washington Area Theater Community Honor (WATCH Award) winning production of Othello, and Mrs. Peacock in the Newtowne Theater Players production of Clue. When not on stage, Joanne enjoys working behind the scenes – helping with props, sets, or costuming. Many, many thanks for this wonderful opportunity, as well as the chance to forge new friendships and strengthen old ones. Hugs and kisses to family and friends – without them and their support, this wouldn’t be possible!
Joe Morrison
Tara Waters
Tara is delighted to be back onstage with these talented women in her first straight play in ages! She is no stranger to PTP though, and you may have seen her recently as Lucy in Bright Star, caught her backstage after directing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Bye Bye Birdie last year, or run into her at a board meeting where she is currently serving as President and Productions Chair. She has had nearly 30 years of experience acting and directing on stages from Maryland to Maine, with some of her favorite roles in Southern Maryland including Woman 2 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!, Amy in Company, Lucy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (WATCH Nomination: Outstanding Lead Actress). Tara sends all her love to her four C boys and her husband Steve, who bring her so many minutes of wonderful. This one is for MLE.
Andrea Watkins
Andrea became hooked on theatre many moons ago when she opened Count Dracula at Lackey High School with a blood-curdling scream. Since then, her favorite roles include Myra in Deathtrap (PTP 1993), Dr. Martha Livingstone in Agnes of God (CCCC 1994), Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor (PTP 1995), Brooke/Vickie in Noises Off (PTP 1996), Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs (PTP 1997), Regina in Little Foxes (CCCC 1998) Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (PTP 1999), Thelma in ‘night, Mother (HBP 2000), and Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt (PTP 2026). She thanks the production team, especially Directors Nada, Mike and Becky for their devotion to the show. She also thanks Clara and George for their patience and love. “xo.”
Gabrielle Wimbush
Gabrielle is thrilled to make her Port Tobacco Players debut in Steel Magnolias. Previous stage credits include Legally Blonde, Charlotte’s Web, and As She Likes It at St. Charles High School, where she gained membership into the International Thespian Society. She is currently seeking a double degree in English and Accounting at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she is a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Reneé Young
Reneé is a recent graduate from Stevenson University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Media Performance. She has been involved in several theatrical productions at Stevenson, and this is her first production at Port Tobacco Players. She is extremely honored to be performing as Annelle, and would like to thank her friends, family, and colleagues for supporting her thus far. She hopes you all enjoy the production!
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