Stage Review - Steel Magnolias (Renton Civic Theatre)
Stage Review - Steel Magnolias
Presented By: Renton Civic Theatre - Renton, WA
Show Run: April 10 - April 26, 2026
Date Reviewed: Friday, April 10, 2026 (Opening Night)
Run Time: 2 Hours (with a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed by: Breanne Jensen
The coveted and beloved classic that is “Steel Magnolias” burst on to the motion picture screen with an unforgettable star-studded cast. The films stars, Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis were, and are, all women who blazed the trail for female ensemble movies/actors where each individual character and actor are as equally important as they are talented. The play and the movie, which are practically identical, tells the audience the story of a group of female friends in a small southern town in the late 1980’s over the span of roughly under a two-year span (shown seasonally), where everyone knows everyone and all their business to boot. The mother daughter duo of Shelby and M’Lynn Eatenton are entering their local beauty salon on the morning of Shelby’s wedding to get their hair done! The beauty salon is owned by Truvy Jones who is the ultimate southern bell of the bunch, and she has a new in-town employee, Anelle, who no one has ever heard of before starting her very first day. Along the way you meet some other local characters, Clairee and Ouiser that are essential and imperative to the women’s lives and the audience’s perspective. This play and this story remind us that life is fragile, complex, beautiful, heart breaking and so rewarding and it is your community, your chosen family and friends who help us get by in this lifetime.
The show takes place in one central location of Truvy’s salon, and it is everything you would hope and expect to see from an 80’s beauty space, thanks to the work of the show’s creative team under the direction of Karen Cody. Production Manager Tiffany Gardner, along with Jacob Viramontes’ lighting and Rachel Brinn’s costumes have built a world reminiscent of a time that reflects the tone of the play, and the film before it. Vibrant colors that no one is afraid to embrace or mix with other unlikely colors, good ole fashion magazines, hair chairs, blow dryers and a manicure station. While the set is simplistic, it is highly effective, nostalgic (for those who know and love the story) and there is even a modern touch with a big blue open sky and magnolia tree scene projection on the backwall that just peeks up right over the top of the set. There are four total scenes (if I recall correctly) with very subtle changes represented by décor and deliberately crafted old tunes that play during scene changes. Costumes, make-up and wigs were all perfectly presented for their time and suited each character well while also flattering the actors. Wonderful job to the set crew, design team, artists, props, lights, stage manager and stagehands for a smooth, methodical and flawless show. Something special to note about this production at Renton Civic Theatre is that the Director, Stage Manager and six cast members are all women. Director Karen Kay Cody knew exactly what she was doing when she put this ensemble of incredibly talented actresses together. Besides successful casting and direction, Cody manages to create a feeling from the beginning of the show where these women have history but aren’t exactly one another’s only friends, and throughout life’s changes, milestones and tragedies, they end up becoming closer than family but also pillars of strength. “Steele Magnolias” also sheds light on the scary realities that people, especially women, face living with Diabetes. I don’t want to share too much because I do feel that it is an integral experience to seeing this story.
Mother My’Lynn, played by Eleanor Withrow, is tenderly embodied in Withrow’s performance. The execution of the caring mother, who loves her daughter more than life will make you laugh with her cheeky mom remarks and make you sob with her sorrow and anger she hides all the time. Withrow’s final monologue had my mascara streaming down my face and I know by the sniffles, there was not a dry eye in the house. My’Lynn’s daughter, Shelby is played by the charming and endearing Gemma Kealy. Kealy brings the southern sass, natural delivery and never misses a beat in her range of emotions. New girl and hire, Anelle Dupuy-Desoto is played by Jordan Ahlers. Ahlers does a wonderful job of meekly entering her character’s personality into this boisterous and openly opinionated group of women. Her emotional range never changes her character’s core, and she does that angelically while also leaving you rolling your eyes at some of her decisions. The comedic relief and opposite of a “yes man” in our story is that of Ouiser Boudreaux, who flings the salon door open mid conversation and enters the room for the very first time by stating, “Im so mad I could die!” just to paint a picture for you. Ouiser is perfected by performer Kiki Werner in her delivery of this beloved character. From the time Werner enters the stage, to the time she leaves it, you cannot keep your eyes off her whether it’s her lines, comedic timing, hilarious facial expressions or hint of vulnerability, Kiki leaves her heart on that stage and enters a spot in your heart. Ouiser’s equally cheeky and sarcastic rival, Clairee Blecher is played by Mary Guthrie. Guthrie pulls on the water behind your eyes with her love for her late husband and her desire to continue to celebrate life in the name of their love. Guthrie’s portrayal left me wanting her to be my rich aunt who gives the best gifts and even better hugs. Her comedic timing was never once lacking, landing every single punchline and always earning that giggle.
The pillar of the story, the leader of these women’s community, the embodiment of girl power and hope is our queen Truvy Jones. Truvy is masterfully played by Lisa Stromme Warren, whom if you closed your eyes and just listened to her in this show, sounded almost identical to her character’s movie actress, Dolly Parton. Warren’s warmth shines through her voice and her heart, letting everyone know she is the person to go to if they need help. The accent is polished and poised as is the timber of her voice, delivery of her lines and range of emotions, doing Dolly and her iconic performance in this show, immense justice. Warren’s hair and smile are equally as beautiful as she is! Lastly, while I did not get the pleasure of experiencing their performance on opening night, I still wanted to mention a huge congrats to Vanessa Gardner who is the swing for all the roles, ready to step into any of these women’s shoes at a moment's notice, which is truly admirable. Brava ladies, you have created magic, just as all women and identifying women do!
Steel Magnolias is an ode to women, to friendship, to love, to life and loss and community. Women have never had equal rights, opportunities, education, pay, benefits, recognition, healthcare etc., just to name a few. Women’s issues, regardless of the year, never change, they just get worse or become more complex and this show is an example of that. Women create life, work, love, mother, nurture, create, invent, rule and thrive all whilst expected to be everything that the world and society demand of us. However, if women band together, stand together united, continue to fight for change and support one another instead of competing with one another, like they want us to, we could rule the world and be unstoppable.
There is power in numbers, so find your community, find your tribe, find your outlet, or maybe just create all the above for yourself, and who knows who else may need that or you. The place you feel most loved and supported in a healthy way is your pillar and helps you be strong when it feels impossible to do. Life is hard enough as it is and as our Dear Shelby says, “I’d rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special”. “Steel Magnolias” cast, crew and story, you made me feel two hours of wonderful, congratulations on a beautiful job to all.
Steel Magnolias runs on stage at Renton Civic Theatre through April 26. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://www.rentoncivictheatre.org/.
Photo Credit: Colin Madison Photography
