by Meghann Evans, Managing Editor
Meghann Evans | The Stokes News
Laurie Jernigan as Truvy Jones, Kara Slawter as Annelle Dupuy, Angela Hodges as Clairee Belcher and Carrie Atkins as Shelby Eatenton, pictured clockwise from top left, perform “Steel Magnolias.”
Meghann Evans | The Stokes News
Katherine Gambill, right, gets the crowd laughing with her portrayal of Ouiser Boudreaux in the Stokes County Arts Council’s production of “Steel Magnolias.”
Meghann Evans | The Stokes News
A crowd gathers at King Central Park Sunday for the final performance of “Steel Magnolias.”
The King Central Park Amphitheater was transformed into a beauty shop last weekend for the opening production in the Sauratown Summer Theatre Series.
The new summer series kicked off with a production of “Steel Magnolias.” Local actresses brought the popular story to life on stage Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon. The production was presented by the Stokes County Arts Council and directed by Justin Bulla. Several local sponsors made the event possible.
“The whole run of this show has just been incredible,” said Bulla Sunday afternoon.
Bulla said he had received much positive feedback, and about 100 people had gathered at the park each night. “I couldn’t be more happy, more thrilled,” he said.
Eddy McGee, Stokes Arts Council executive director, said, “I thought it went very, very well.”
It was the first large scale production the Arts Council had opened at Central Park, and McGee said it went even better than anticipated.
“We had a really good crowd in attendance all three performances,” McGee noted. He said many people traveled from outside the county to view the production.
“Steel Magnolias” was written by Robert Harling and later adapted into a popular film.
“It is really, really good,” said Cathy Moore of the Stokes County production Sunday afternoon. “I love the set.”
Moore was familiar with the film, and she thought the actresses in Stokes County did a fabulous job. She has attended Stokes County Arts Council events in the past. “And they’re always good,” she said.
Olivia Shelton said during intermission, “I’m thoroughly enjoying how the characters are evolving.” She also complimented the set and how the good acoustics allowed people in the park to hear the dialogue without losing any lines.
The cast for the production included Kara Slawter as Annelle Dupuy, Laurie Jernigan as Truvy Jones, Carrie Atkins as Shelby Eatenton, Kelly Fayne as Mary Lynn Eatenton, Angela Hodges as Clairee Belcher, and Katherine Gambill as Ouiser Boudreaux. Ed Gambill did the voice of the DJ. Tina Evans served as stage manager and Patti Dunlap as props mistress. In addition to serving as director, Bulla was the set designer. Ed Gambill was sound designer and LeVan Moxley was sound technician.
“They put so much work into it,” said McGee.
The Sauratown Summer Theatre Series will feature three more shows this summer: “Dearly Departed,” “Honky Tonk Angels,” and “The Hero Squad vs. The Princess Snatchers.” Auditions for these shows will be held Thursday at Mount Olive Elementary School from 7 to 9 p.m. People will be asked to read from a script, and there are roles for people of all ages.
McGee said the Arts Council has sponsored the Winter Dessert Theatre Series and children’s community theater in the past, but it has not done summer productions catered to adults like this.
“We just wanted to give adults some theater during the summer,” McGee explained.
He said the King Central Park Amphitheatre is a great venue for this year’s series. North Carolina is known for its outdoor theater performances.
Plans are already in the works for some shows next year. Though it is dependent on funding and personnel, McGee said, “We’d like to continue it every year.”
