CHS Theater Program to present ‘Steel Magnolias’ Thursday through Saturday

The story of six women and how they deal with life and loss is the focal point of Corbin Redhound Theater’s first performance of the year, "Steel Magnolias" which will run this Thursday through Saturday at the Corbin High School Auditorium.

Most remembered as a famous 1989 movie staring Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Field and others, it was actually a stage play in its original incarnation.

Redhound Theater Director Schann Mobley said the plot line of this particular production will remain faithful to the source material, but with the entirety of the action taking place in the Louisiana beauty salon where it is based.

"I think it is very much a laughter through tears type of thing, just like the movie," Mobley said during preparations and rehearsals Monday. "It’s a favorite for a lot of women I know that love the story."

But for nearly all of the actors, it’s new territory. None of the six girls playing the roles in this production were born yet when "Steel Magnolias" made its theatrical debut. Mobley said the group got together and watched the movie to get a feel for what its all about.

"I’ve always wanted to do this, but there’s a lot of challenges involved with it. You have to have the right group of people to do it," Mobley said. "This year, I’ve got a great group of senior girls that have been in the theater program for a long time and I felt they were up to it. I thought if I’m ever doing to be able to do this show, it’s going to be now."

Seniors Myranda Carpenter, Katie Noble, Cayla Scott, Heidi Clark and Taylor Moody join junior Myranda Thomas to round out the six-member cast of the show. Male characters portrayed in the feature film are absent from this live production.

"They’ve really gotten into their characters, more so than I’ve ever seen before. These girls have done an amazing job," Mobley said.

"Steel Magnolias" will play Thursday through Saturday starting at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Price of admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students. Season passes can be purchased for $32 and cover admission for all five Redhound Theater productions this season.