Steel Magnolias at Little Fish Theatre

By John Farrell, Curtain Call Writer

Steel Magnolias, which is now 25 years old, hasn’t aged all that much.

Robert Hardin’s story of the delightful relationships of six Southern women who meet at a beauty shop in a small Louisiana town was a hit as a film and on and off Broadway. It has become a regular at little theaters around the country.

Few, though, can boast the delightful cast Little Fish Theatre has assembled for their production which runs in their newly air-conditioned home through the middle of July. Six woman: Chiquita Fuller as Truvy Jones, the shop’s owner and emotional center, Kristin Towers-Rowles as Annelle, the teenager who is given a chance in the shop, Susie McCathy as Clairee, Daina Baker Bowler as Shelby, who is getting married, Amanda Karr as her mother M’Lynn and Mary-Margaret Lewis as Ouiser, give a rousing ensemble performance that uses the one set effectively. Director James Rice has an ear for proper Southern accents and his cast never is less than brilliant.

As the nights in San Pedro get sultry (or foggy — depends on the day) there is no better way to spend a couple of hours in a cool place hearing a familiar and affecting story told again by a great cast.

The play may be 25 years old: the story it tells is ageless.

Tickets are $27, 4 for seniors, $20 for students. Performances are at 8 p.m.June 28 and 29, July 10 and 11, and at 2 p.m. July 7.

Details: (310) 512-6030, www.littlefishtheatre.org
Venue: Little Fish Theatre
Location: 777 Centre St., San Pedro