Saturday, April 9, 2016

Steel Magnolias
Spotlight Theatre: 4/2 – 4/30

L-R: Nicole Campbell, Suzanne Nepi, Chloe McLeod and Deborah Curtis(Photo credit Soular Radiant Photography)
The current production of “Steel Magnolias” now on view at the John Hand Theater on Lowry resurrects an old chestnut to glorious effect.
     Touted as the directorial debut of Emma Messenger, the evening unfolds more like that of the studied work of a veteran director. Messenger, who has taken the highest awards for acting twice in the last two years, is obviously well steeped in the awareness of what needs to go on from the director’s chair.
     She’s cast the show with a bevy of beauties, all of whom are age and look appropriate for the roles and who have more than the requisite talent to rise to the challenge of this old warhorse.
     There are stellar performances by: Suzanne Nepi, Nicole Campbell, Libby Rife, Chloe McLeod, Abby Apple Boes and Deborah Curtis.
     One must add that getting a chance to see Libby Rife
L-R: Nicole Campbell and Libby Rife(Photo credit: Solar Radiant Photography)

(Clairee) return to the stage slinging zingers to such great comic effect was worth the trip over to Lowry all on its own.
     Suzanne Nepi’s a joy to watch throughout. Abby Apple Boes turns in a stunning performance as M’Lynn. Deborah Curtis is a hoot as Ouiser.
     Bernie Cardell’s set design, Susan Rahmsdorff’s costumes and Megan O’Connor’s wig design add immeasurably to our enjoyment of this show.
     It’s a wonderful evening of theatre that comes with high recommendations from this reviewer’s desk. So if you, like this reviewer, happen to need to wash a few less than satisfactory past productions of this show out of your hair, you can’t go wrong getting a ticket for this one.

Spotlight Theatre Company presents
“Steel Magnolias”
Apr. 2 - Apr. 30*
Fri/Sat and Monday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 - $22
Group rates available.
720-530-4596 or online at www.thisisspotlight.com
The John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230
Free parking.





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