Jennifer Moonsong/ WCLU News Director
In mid-September, drama enthusiasts will have a chance to watch a diverse group of small town, southern women portray a group of diverse small town southern women, when the Harold Chambers Theater Troupe brings Steel Magnolias to the stage.
“In choosing ‘Steel Magnolias’ it was our Shelby-played by Laura Brown, who chose this play. It was her dream to portray the character she had grown up loving.
“I think this will be the 6th or 7th time that so have directed this play do it holds many precious memories and a very special place in my heart,” said Director Emily Coffey, one of the founders of the troupe, named in honor of her late father, Harold Chambers.
Coffey says of the performances through the years with a different cast of actresses, brings a new take to a classic.
“Every person brings their own ‘color’ to each character they portray. The challenge is to think like the character would think and react; not how you personally think and react,” she said.
When the troupe was formed a couple of years ago, Coffey’s sister Cayce took it upon herself to start a Go Fund Me page to get it off the ground, raising $4,000 for initial efforts. The troupe is entirely volunteer and depends on tickets sales, fund-raisers and sponsorships to fund each production.
Coffey and the other founders, her daughter Lauren and her daughter’s best friend Laura Brown, are pleased to have such a close knit community to support the troupe.
“We are so fortunate to have access to the amazing facilities at the Metcalfe Public Library for rehearsals and the Metcalfe County Schools Auditorium for rehearsals,” said Coffey.
“We have so many wonderful and super talented friends who perform with us. We are so grateful to everyone involved,” she added.
For the local ladies portraying the characters in Steel Magnolias, it’s been a real life bonding experience much like the one that will play out on stage later this September.
The cast is as follows: M’Lynn-Tareena Horton, Shelby-Laura Brown, Annelle- Lauren Coffey, Clairee- Sherry Phelps, Ouiser- Marietta Froggett and Truvy-Emily Coffey.
“Not everyone in the cast knew one another so we have made a special effort to bond with one another by meeting for a meal before practice, always allowing time at practice to talk and through our group text,” Coffey said.
The ladies will perform the play four times. The dates of the play are Sept. 21 at 7:00p.m., Sept. 22 at 2:00 p.m., 28 at 7:00pm and 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Steel Magnolias will be performed in the Metcalfe County Middle School Auditorium and tickets are $10 at the door, cash only.
