Published: June 26, 2009 01:47 pm      

Providence ladies bring ‘Steel Magnolias’ to life in Clark County

All-female cast opened the show Thursday

Instead of spending the first part of their summer relaxing, the cast of Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School’s production of “Steel Magnolias” got right to work once school let out in May. The young women started rehearsals the following Monday.

The all-female, student cast worked the entire month, putting the show together.

“It is half the summer, but I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, so I don’t regret it at all,” said junior Kelsi Davis, who plays Truvy.

“I love theater and I love the way it makes you feel when you interact with the rest of the cast and the way you can affect people through theater. It’s one of my passions, so I didn’t mind it in the least,” said junior Claire Joksimovic, who plays Shelby.

The play, which opened Thursday, revolves about a beauty shop in Louisiana and focuses on the lives of those who work and visit there.

Ellen Holifield, who is directing the Providence play, said she picked it for a variety of reasons, including that it would have an all-female cast.

“It’s a great show and it’s very heart-warming,” she said. “It’s funny, it’s sad and it has great opportunities for women to play some great characters.”

In July, her husband will direct a mostly male cast in “The Foreigner.”

Holifield said this play will take place in an intimate environment, allowing people to feel close to the action.

“[People] should come to see it to take a break from their everyday stress and everyday lives and experience feelings that ‘Steel Magnolias’ has to offer,” she said.

“It’s a really good play for girls because the whole cast is girls,” Davis said. “It’s kind of like a chick-flick play, but it’s something guys would like, too.”

As a tribute to the ladies, opening night was only for them and admission was half-priced. The rest of the nights admission cost $10. The play continues through the weekend.



SO YOU KNOW

• WHAT: Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School’s performance of “Steel Magnolias”

• WHEN: 7 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday

• WHERE: Providence Junior-Senior High School, 707 Providence Way, Clarksville

• DETAILS: Tickets cost $10 and are sold at the door