September 18, 2017 - Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias, the classic story of love, laughter, and loss, comes to life on the Panola College Stage for the annual dinner theatre fare. Based on a true story, Harling’s play focuses on events in Chinquapin, Louisiana – the fictional town Harling created for the real town of Natchitoches,Louisiana, where the ladies whom the play is based upon resided.. This performance is being guest-directed by Elizabeth Hedges, the former 30-year professor of Drama at Panola.
Starring in the play are, Emmalee Tomaszewski, sophomore, Center, as Truvy, Taylor Foster, freshman, Jefferson as Annelle, Ashlynn Stamps, freshman, Martinsville as Clairee, Sarah Funderburk, sophomore, Carthage as Shelby, Jasmine Ryan, freshman, Martinsville as M’Lynn,, and Jessica Bailey, freshman, Center as Ouiser.
Heading up the production staff are Karen King, Assistant Director; Andrew Lindsey, Stage Manager, Lacie Sepulvado, Costume Design, Kassandra Escobar, Light Design, Kayla Brimer, Props, Nathaniel Endsley, Sound and Crew construction. Julian Johnson hosts as MC for the event. Prior to the evening dinner performances, the Panola Players will present twenty minutes of comedy sketches and music.
The play runs Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23 with dinner theatre performances. Dinner starts serving at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Dinner will be salad, lasagna, Italian green beans, breadsticks, chocolate mousse, coffee or tea. A dessert matinee is presented on Sunday, September 24 with the doors opening at 12:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 1:30 p.m. An array of cakes, pies, and cookies will be served with coffee and tea.
Reservations are required for these performances and all tickets must be pre-paid. Cost for dinner theatre tickets are $40/Adults; $35 for Seniors (62+), Students, and Panola College Staff and Faculty, $25/Children 12 and under. Dessert Matinee costs are $25/Adults; $20 for Seniors (62), Students, and Panola College Staff and Faculty, $15/Children 12 and under. Groups of ten or more receive a group discount.
Panola Drama offers an online ticketing service. The link to order tickets online may be found on the main page of Panola College www.panola.edu – Scroll down to the bottom and located on the right hand side are Quick Links. Click on Online Ticket Sales to order your tickets online. One may also call 903-693-2064 or email tickets@panola.edu
Steel Magnolias is produced by special permission from Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
