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Steel Magnolias
Directed by Annette Winter
August 1-3 & 8-10, 2003

This Off-Broadway hit captures the charm and idiosyncrasies of Southern womanhood, and is set in Louisiana on the wedding day of one of its favorite patrons. Sweet Shelby, a young and pretty diabetic, enjoys sharing her excitement with the other women who meet regularly to chat and gossip about men, marriage and the latest hairstyles. And together, the women form a sense of community that is both warmly good-natured and delightfully real. While Shelby's mother ponders whether the all-pink wedding motif will make "the sanctuary look like it was hosed down with Pepto-Bismol," and Shelby suffers a slight diabetic attack, we see a tenderness emanating from the spirit of these indomitable women.

Pictures From Our Production:
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Production Staff
Director Annette Winter
Assistant Director Lizette Zuccalmaglio
Stage Manager Maureen Rogalski
Asst. Stage Manager Michael True
Set Design, Artist, Engineer Laurie Hall
Lighting Design. Special Effects Kevin Fisher
Technical Director Patrick Mannix
Sound Regan Ryzuk & Douglas Boisanault
Producer Mary Ryzuk
Costumes/Props Maureen Rogalski
Program David Minor
 
Cast
Clairee Bridget Burke Weiss
Annelle Jennifer L. Draves
Ouiser Carla Kendall
M'Lynn Cindy Rea
Shelby Meredith Ross
Truvy Annette Winter
 
ACT I
Place: Truvy's Hair Emporium, Chinquapin, Louisiana
Scene 1 April
Scene 2 December
ACT II
Scene 1 June, 18 months later
Scene 2 October
 
Notes From The Director
This production came to me as fate. I was sitting in my usual salon when someone asked me if I knew anyone who wanted some 70's salon equipment and BOING a light bulb went off. I contacted Regan and within a few days it was agreed that The Enchanted Players would produce Steel Magnolias at the Darress which is very experimental for the Enchanted Players as they specialize in original children's productions. Working with the team at the Darress has been a delight. They have been very helpful, supportive and organized while still giving me complete artistic freedom. As a director, I approached this show differently than most directors as I come to it from being an actress and feel strongly that an actors' instincts should be trusted so this production is very much a group effort and we are really working as a team. I couldn't be more thrilled with my cast, Bridget, Jennifer, Carla, Cindy and Meredith all give so much on stage they make my job easy. I couldn't imagine a better and more pleasant cast. My special thanks to Regan, Mary, Tom, Lizette, Kevin, Laurie and Maureen. Also, thanks to Christie and Heather for being there if I needed them and Kathi for putting up with all my madness. You are all a special group of people and I am lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for enhancing my world and feeding my passions.
Annette Winter
 
Who's Who in the Cast
Bridget Burke Weiss -Clairee- Bridget is excited to be performing again at the Darress. Her last appearance for the EPI was The Family Deli and in the award winning, one-woman show, The River Jordan Lamp. She was last seen in the Barn Theatre's production of Kindertransport as “Lil”. Past favorite roles include “Lady MacBeth” in While Shakespeare Slept, “Pope Joan” in Top Girls, “Lady Constance” in King John, and “Mad Maggie” in Richard III. Bridget is a “not so recent” transplant from San Francisco where she studied (and was an active participant) in theatre and stand up comedy. Bridget loves residing in Boonton and with her wonderfully supportive husband, Micah. She is a Montessori teacher and a puppeteer. Bridget would like to give a special thank-you to Tom Timbrook for his dedication and hard work to this unique and versatile theatre.
Jennifer L. Draves-Annelle- Jennifer is returning to the stage after a 17 year hiatus. She is thrilled to be home. Previous performances include Oliver, Oklahoma, Celebrate Georgia, Lil Abner and Summer Stock: Broadway Melody 1-2-3-4-. Jennifer majored in music at CCM where she performed in West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and “Cousin Hebe” in HMS Pinafore. One of her favorite roles is “Jenny” from the wonderful and seldom seen musical, Shenandoah. Jen would like to dedicate her performance to her mom… also to Annette for giving me a new lease on life.
Carla Kendall-Ouiser- Carla was bitten by the acting bug ever since she saw Shirley Temple singing and dancing her way into the hearts of America. After receiving her theatre degree from the Boston Conservatory of Music, she was fortunate enough to work for many years in the theatre. Some of her favorite roles are “Norma Hubley” in Plaza Suite, “Ruth” in Blithe Spirit, and “Desiree” in A Little Night Music. The last 14 years she has been in her favorite, yet most challenging role so far, Mom. Thanks to all the ladies in the show and behind the scenes, working with all of you has truly been inspiring. All my love to my husband, without him I wouldn't be who I am.
Cindy Rea -M'Lynn- This is Cindy's first (of many, she hopes) appearance with EPI. Her favorite roles have been “Doris” in Same Time Next Year, “Olive” in the women's version of The Odd Couple and “Blanche DuBois” in A Streetcar Named Desire. She won the “Perry Award” for Best Supporting Actress in A Bad Year for Tomatoes. Thanks to Annette for giving her the chance to portray this wonderful character and for introducing her to her new “family” of Steel Magnolias. This was a fabulous experience in every way and as always, hugs & kisses to her family for their love and support.
Meredith Ross-Shelby- Meredith has graduated from Loyola College with a BA in theatre and is a recent graduate of the School for Film and Television, a two-year acting conservatory in New York City. She has performed over 10 plays between Baltimore and New York and has done 5 independent feature films. She is currently filming two more this summer. The is thrilled to be working with EPI for the first time and gives great thanks to Annette for making this a truly wonderful experience. Meredith would also like to thank the entire cast for their talent, her family for their love and support and Brian for being the best.
Annette Winter-Truvy and Director- Annette wears many caps but this is her first time directing and doing a large role in one the most heart-felt, memorable and touching shows. She is thrilled to be bringing this wonderful production of Steel Magnolias to the Darress Theatre and EPI. She was last seen as “Jewel” in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Allegro. Prior to that, she directed an amazing cast in Brundage Park Playhouse's production of Wait Until Dark. Last season she co-directed the holiday production of Little Women at BPP. Annette was fortunate and flattered to be asked to participate in Mary and Regan Ryzuk's backers reader in NYC as “Elizabeth Stride” for the Ryzuks new musical thriller, Jack the Ripper, soon to be produced in London. She was seen last year at EPI as “Queen Agravane” in Once Upon A Mattress. Other favorite roles “The Nurse” in Medea, “Nellie” in Jekyll and Hyde and, surprisingly enough, “Ouiser Boudreaux” in Steel Magnolias with one of her favorite performers and people, Cindy Rea, Miss Jones and Smitty (not at the same time) in How to Succeed, “Yente” in Fiddler on the Roof, “Sister Hubert” in Nunsense, “Ms. Sherman” in Fame, and “Luce” in Boys From Syracuse. Annette also appeared in the Broadway Production, The Prince of Grand Street, as “Mrs. Schumaker” which starred Robert Preston and was directed by Gene Saks. Annette would like to thank her incredibly talented and professional cast and crew. It has been a delight to work with each and every one of these special, gifted and dedicated people.
Who's Who in the Crew
Lizette Zuccalmaglio -Assistant Director- is happy to be working along with Annette and once again in another production with EPI. As always, thanks to everyone for this opportunity and for your support.
Maureen Rogalski -Stage Manager- Maureen is thrilled to working with Annette ande Lizette on this fabulous production. Prior to being whisked away to New Orleans, she managed orphans in the Warbucks mansion in NYC, and she assistant directed the Von Trapp Children and Heidi in the Alps. When not working behind the scenes, Maureen likes to act, dance, sing and make movies. She wishes to thank her family and friends for letting her pursue her passions and the the cast and crew… Break a leg and remember, “Smile, it increases your face value.”
Kevin Fisher -Lighting Design and Special Effects- Kevin is happy to work with Annette again on this production of Steel Magnolias. Prior to that, he designed lights and special effects for Annette's production of Wait Until Dark at Brundage Park Playhouse. He previously handled sets and lights at BPP for The Hobbit, Little Women, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe. This production marks his return to the Enchanted Players where he handled tech support for Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella, Snow White, and the musical thriller, Jack the Ripper among others.
Regan Ryzuk-Sound- Co-founder of The Enchanted Players, Inc., Regan has written all the music for each of The Enchanted Players, Inc. productions: The Devil and The Three Golden Hairs, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, The Sleeping Beauty. Snow White & Rose Red and Rumpelstiltskin.
Mary Ryzuk - Producer- Co-founder of The Enchanted Players, Inc., Mary is a published author of non-fiction books and oft-produced playwright including all of The Enchanted Players fairy-tales that have been written to Regan Ryzuk's music.