By By MaryClaire Foster
Continuing its tradition of bringing theatre to Atmore and surrounding areas, the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts will take six women to the stage Thursday and Friday to perform “Steel Magnolias.”
The play takes place in Louisiana in a beauty shop and also focuses on the relationship of four other women including the owner Truvy Jones; an employee, Annelle Dupuy Desoto and Clairee Belcher and Ouiser Boudreaux, two shop regulars.
The parts of Annelle, Clairee and Shelby will be played by three Atmore residents, Ellen Johnson, Patty Castleberry and Melanie Bennett.
Bennett has never acted before, but after being approached by Hursh, who is a friend, to tryout for the part she said her love of the movie got her to participate.
Another Atmore resident, Sherrie Hursh, is directing the play. This is her second time directing. Hursh also spoke of her own fondness for the play and her confidence that it will be well received.
Brewton residents Jo Downing and Mitzi Dixon play the parts of Ouiser and Truvy. Sharon Poulsen of Walnut Hill plays the part of M’Lynn.
Because of the setting of the play, Bennett said she thinks residents will feel a strong draw to it as Southerners.
Hursh said that the play will be a particularly fun evening for women.
The play will also be performed in Brewton at Jefferson Davis Community College’s Neal Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25.
Tickets for the show are $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.