'Steel Magnolias' blossoms at Cocoa Village Playhouse

Christina LaFortune, Florida Today
·3 min read

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Most people know "Steel Magnolias" from the popular 1989 movie starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field and Julia Roberts, but before the dramedy was a hit film, it was a play. The perennial favorite takes the stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse for a run that starts on March 10 and continues through March 19.

Written by playwright Robert Harling as a tribute to his sister who died of kidney failure, the play follows a tight-knit group of six women in Louisiana as they gather in a small town beauty parlor. This is their home-away-from-home where they support each other through the many milestones of their lives.

The play is full of laugh-out-loud comedy as the ladies crack wise with plenty of southern charm, but it's not all armadillo groom's cake and super-sweet "cuppa-cuppa-cuppa." The "steel" in the title refers to the strength of the women's characters as they navigate life and loss. In Truvy's beauty salon, they laugh, they cry and they find community.

Adonna Niosi as "M'Lynn," Savannah Lee as "Shelby" and Tina Coppock as "Truvy" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
Adonna Niosi as "M'Lynn," Savannah Lee as "Shelby" and Tina Coppock as "Truvy" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.

“Laughter through tears is a major theme of Harling’s work,” said James Spiva, the show's guest director. “The wit and humor of the characters immediately endears them to their audiences and helps them navigate the world of loss that they go through.”

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The intimate six-person play is a change for Cocoa Village Playhouse, which is known for producing big Broadway-style musicals.

"We've been debating on placing a play within our season line up for many years," said Dr. Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, the theater's chief executive officer. "But in the theater, timing is everything and each production has to fit in the overall picture of our season and balance and complement the other productions."

“'Steel Magnolias' is one of the most requested plays and I am so grateful that we are able to present it to our audiences now,” she said.

Patricia Knowles as "Clairee" and Linda Nicoli as "Ouiser" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
Patricia Knowles as "Clairee" and Linda Nicoli as "Ouiser" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.

In keeping with Cocoa Village Playhouse's recent tradition, the show has two casts who will alternate performances. Adonna Niosi and Jeanette Roach star as "M'lynn," Savannah Lee and Carly Briand as "Shelby," Tina Coppock and Nancy Matican-Bock as "Truvy," Breanna Streeter and Pheobe Parker as "Annelle," Linda Nicoli and Amy Barnickel as "Ouiser" and Patricia Knowles and Bonnie Venable as "Clairee."

"This show is not simply a drama, nor strictly a comedy, and calls for dynamic performers who can run the gamut of emotions the piece calls for and can trustingly work with one another," said Spiva. "All of them have such brilliant senses of humor, and it's been so much fun to uncover that."

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Tina Coppock as "Truvy," Patricia Knowles as "Clairee," Linda Nicoli as "Ouiser," Savannah Lee as "Shelby" and Breeanna Streeter as "Annelle" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.
Tina Coppock as "Truvy," Patricia Knowles as "Clairee," Linda Nicoli as "Ouiser," Savannah Lee as "Shelby" and Breeanna Streeter as "Annelle" in the play "Steel Magnolias," on stage at Cocoa Village Playhouse through March 19, 2023. Visit cocoavillageplayhouse.com.

"It is a beautiful story about real relatable characters going through very real relatable life events," he said. "I think audiences are going to enjoy experiencing the power of friendship, of love, and especially of humor and its ability to get us through the darkest of times."

Hawkins-Smith agrees. "The heartwarming yet heart-wrenching messages of "Steel Magnolias" adds a lot of heart to the messages of shows this season. (It) teaches us that with love and laughter we can overcome anything in our lives."

If you go

'Steel Magnolias'

Where: Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa

When: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 19

Tickets: Start at $35 for adults, $33 for seniors, students and military, and $23 for children

Info: 321-636-5050

On the web: cocoavillageplayhouse.com

Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'Steel Magnolias' blossoms at Cocoa Village Playhouse