'Steel Magnolias' addresses life decisions

The Penn Players, the University's oldest co-ed theater company presents their newest production, Steel Magnolias, at the Annenberg Center today through Sunday. Steel Magnolias is the story of a diabetic, Shelby, and five other women who are forced to deal with the consequences of Shelby's decision to have a child. "It is not very often that we have shows on campus with a predominately female cast," said Stage Manager and College sophomore Leija Bentley. "That is one thing that sets it apart from the other shows on campus." The show features a small cast of six women and it is set solely in a Southern beauty parlor. The story traces these women through a certain period of their lives and follows all their trials and tribulations. "The intimacy of the small cast and crew is refreshing after several years of huge productions because you are able to concentrate more on quality." Lighting Designer and Management and Technology junior Pat Ede. Engineering senior Marc Weitz, the producer of the show, said the play was condensed some. "It has been very good that we downsized a little and concentrated on the essentials that we need to communicate," he said. Other members of the production staff said they have enjoyed working to produce the play. "It was fun dressing other people even though I can't dress myself," said College senior and costume designer Sarah Stevens. Steel Magnolias will open Thursday, April 7, at the Harold Prince Theater in the Annenberg Center and will run until April 10. The show time for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows is at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinee will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the Walk or at Annenberg Center for $5.