Steel Magnolias Set for Special Reading Presented by Abingdon Theatre Company

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced plans for a one-night-only reading of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling, on Monday, May 20, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Steel Magnolias is "set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are 'anybody' come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ('I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years'); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a 'good ole boy.' Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life."

Directed by Emmy Award winner and original Shelby Blanche Baker, the cast will feature Tony nominee Brenda Braxton as Truvy, Lisa Brescia as M'Lynn, five time Tony Award nominee Sandy Duncan as Clairee, Julie Klausner as Annelle, Tony nominee Nancy Opel as Ouiser, and Carrie St. Louis as Shelby.