Steel Magnolias took the stage for a special Press & Student Night at the Plaza on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Local critic Ben Sharp penned a review just in time for Opening Night:

One of the greatest gifts in human existence is friendship, and this is perhaps no better demonstrated than in The Plaza Theatre’s portrayal of Steel Magnolias. Scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays, then 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays between April 24 and May 3, the show is an emotional rollercoaster that reveals the role good companions play in sharing the ups and downs of life.

The play is directed by Amber Barbee with Sarah Cline Wilkins serving as assistant director. Both are Plaza veterans who know what it takes to put on an impactful show. Barbee said that Steel Magnolias is an important play with universal themes.

Roxy Gilley (Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie), prepares to have her hair done as she talks about her upcoming wedding with Karis Alvarez (Annelle Dupuy-Desoto), left, and Kay Gilley (Truvy Jones) right. “Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

“The story reminds us that laughter and tears often live side by side, and that the bonds we form with one another can carry us through life’s greatest joys and deepest sorrows,” Barbee said.

The play centers on the friendship between six women who gravitate toward a beauty salon in Chinquapin, La. The owner of the salon is Truvy Jones, played by Kay Gilley. While Gilley has most recently been content to work behind the scenes, she ventures out to center stage for Steel Magnolias. Such a move can oftentimes be risky, but in Kay Gilley’s case, it’s the perfect transition. She seems born for the stage, relaxed, confident and at peace with the characters and events around her. Clad in the most dazzling 1980s-era garb, Kay Gilley commands attention throughout the play, whether she’s making quips about bygone romance or fighting back tears in the aftermath of (spoiler alert) character Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie’s passing.

Merrily Bieltz (Clairee), foreground, talks about her past marriage with Karis Alvarez (Annelle), standing, while Roxy Gilley (Shelby) and Kay Gilley (Truvy) work on their nails. “Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

It’s ironic that Kay Gilley’s real-life daughter, Roxy Gilley, plays that doomed role, and I couldn’t help but imagine how emotional an experience the play must have been for the mother and daughter duo. When it comes to the power of Roxy Gilley’s performance, the adage of “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” immediately comes to mind. Like Kay Gilley, Roxy Gilley is relaxed, capable, charismatic and, at only 19 years of age, presents a stage maturity of someone twice her age. The scenes where her character suffers the debilitating effects of diabetes are stunning, and the entire theater grew silent as the other characters had to nervously nurse her back to health.

Karis Alvarez, another familiar face on the Plaza stage, tackles the role of Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, a demure, deeply religious woman who serves as a contrast to some of the other boisterous, more worldly characters. Alvarez perfectly encapsulates a character who grows beyond her timidity to stake claim to the spiritual welfare of her companions and the salon as a whole. Though some of the others prod her for her convictions, she remains unabashed in her faith and wholesomeness. It’s important to note that there are numerous moments throughout the play where religion – Christianity in particular – is poked fun at and cast in a negative light. Although this tends to be good-natured in spirit, it’s still something to keep in mind for more devout viewers.

The hair salon members congratulate Shelby on her new hairdo. From left are Kay Gilley (Truvy), Karis Alvarez (Annelle), Roxy Gilley (Shelby), Keri Graff (Ouiser) and Merrily Bieltz (Clairee). “Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Merrily Bieltz plays Clairee Belcher and is the embodiment of class and sass. Sharply dressed and attractive, she is the perfect antithesis to Keri Graff’s character, Ouiser Boudreaux, a loud, impetuous woman who sends the timbers quivering every time she steps into the room. Bieltz and Graff pull no punches in their back-and-forth squabbling and provide plenty of comedic moments that help cut the tension of the play’s more serious undertones.

Rounding out the cast is Plaza icon Janice McDonald as M’Lynn Eatenton. McDonald is an absolute tour de force, taking command of the stage with each scene. Her emotional outbursts in the final act sent shivers up my spine, and it was hard to imagine a better portrayal of a grief-stricken mother.

The set for Steel Magnolias is the quintessential 80s-era salon, with rotating chairs, hair dryers and a nail station, framed by a pink-painted wall. The playbill credits the Wharton County Junior College Cosmetology Department and WCJC’s Executive Director of Facilities Management Jason Novak with loaning the salon chairs and setting them in place.

Karis Alvarez (Annelle) tries to regain her composure after learning of Shelby’s death. “Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Sound effects and lighting bring the show to life, and Plaza veteran Erick Whitley lends his voice to some notable mock radio broadcasts. Most everything went off without a hitch, though there were a few opening night faux pas, particularly with the telephone ringer. A couple of lines were bumbled as well, but overall the production was presented masterfully.

Merrily Bieltz (Clairee) and Keri Graff (Ouiser) share a funny moment while Kay Gilley (Truvy) and Janice McDonald (M’Lynn) stand ready. “Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

Credits include Quinn Wrench as stage manager and concessions management, Sarah Wilkins as technical director, Burke Wilkins on set design and set construction, Kenneth Socha on lighting design, Erick Whitley as lighting board operator, Leanna Shimek on sound design and sound board, Amber Barbee and Sarah Wilkins on costuming, Jami Hughes on box office and house management, Russell Kacer on communications and Sharon Joines on photography.

Steel Magnolias is presented by BLS Construction.

“Steel Magnolias” is being performed at the Plaza Theatre April 24th-May 3rd, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photos by Sharon Joines.

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ABOUT BEN SHARP: Benjamin Sharp is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement for Wharton County Junior College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and lives in Wharton with his wife, Kristen, and their three kids, Madalyn, Andrew and Matthew.