Steel Magnolias
Written by Robert Harling
Directed by Bernice Garfield-Szita

"The play is alternately hilarious and touching - and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters."
- NY Daily News

The Cast of Steel Magnolias

RUN: October 24 - November 23, 2003

SYNOPSIS: Center Players' presents its final Signature Series presentation for 2003, Robert Harling's classic, "Steel Magnolias." The action 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, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter Shelby 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 diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength - and love - which gives the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

CAST (in order of appearance):

	Casey Williams-Ficarra as "Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto" Casey Williams-Ficarra is thrilled to be making her Center Players debut. She is a recent graduate of Rowan University with a degree in Theatre/Speech. She was honored with two Best Lead Actress Awards at Rowan, the first for her portrayal of Mary in Vanities and the second for her portrayal of Procne in The Love of the Nightingale. She was last seen in The Crucible at the Ritz Theatre Company where she also works as the Building Supervisor. As always, she thanks her faithful family and her supportive friends. Special thanks goes to her mother for discovering the auditions for Steel Magnolias and to her patient (and precious) sister Kelsey for constantly "drawing lines" with her.
	Bernadette Gill as "Truvy Jones" This is Bernadette's first appearance with Center Players. She appeared as "Annette" (female lead) in Jackson's 2002 Summer Theater Production of Far Out in Jackson. In the early 80's, she appeared in the Spring Lake Community Theatre Productions of You Can't Take it with You and Philadelphia Here I Come. During the mid 1980's through the 1990's she pursued a Bachelors Degree and an MBA at Rutgers while working full time at NJ Transit. She is currently Director of Property Management at NJ Transit and the proud mother of a 25-year-old son. With her career goals firmly underway, she is returning to her first love, acting. Her mom sent her to acting lessons when she was 13 so she could learn to walk and talk like a lady. "How'm I doing so far, Ma?" She adds, "My love and gratitude to all 'my ladies' who are the best, Adena, Casey, Karen, Joan, Connie and our Director, Bernice. Working with an all female cast has provided a very focused, supportive and challenging acting experience for me."
	Joan Lopatin as "Clairee Belcher" Joan, a resident of Freehold, is appearing in her forth production with Center Players. She previously appeared as Hannah in Crossing Delancy and Polly Benish playing Lady Margaret in Play On! She has been a member of several choral groups appearing in operettas, oratorios as well as solos. She has performed roles in community theaters in California as well as New Jersey. West coast productions include Caesar and Cleopatra, Middle of the Night and Fiddler on the Roof. New Jersey credits include Medea, Three Penny Opera and Suddenly Last Summer. Joan has directed several plays at Applewood and is currently the music director for the Applewood chorus.
	Adena Wirski as "Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie" Adena has been involved in Central Jersey theatre for the past 3 years. There haven't been any musicals in the mix so far, but you never know! Much thanks to all friends and family coming to the show. She'd also like to thank her parents for letting her move back home and not enforcing a curfew, her brother for cleaning the garage, her man for just being dyn-O-mite and her sister who just recently moved to Colorado, and whom she misses very much! Enjoy the show and re-live the '80s!
	Karen Root as "M'lynn Eatenton" Karen is very happy to be returning to Center Players in the role of M'Lynn. Obtaining a B.A. in theater, she lived the actor's dream life, working on stage, in commercials and doing the ubiquitous print ad. Moving to Manhattan to further her career, she began to produce and act in off-off Broadway plays with a group of like-minded actors, all of whom studied at HB Studios. Embarking on an 18 year run, she reared her son Matthew to his successful graduation from high school. Now that he is in college, she has returned to do what she loves best and is most qualified to do. Most recently, she has been seen around Monmouth County as Joyce in The Sum of Us with Center Players, Wilma in Lovers & Other Strangers at the Eatontown Playhouse, and a number of staged readings of new plays. Heartfelt thanks to Bernice for giving me this opportunity and to all the cast & crew of Steel Magnolias for all their love and support. Girls Rock! Also thanks to Matt and Steven for their love & patience, and always to Phil for putting me back on track. Karen is a member of AFTRA.
	Constance Carey as "Ouiser Boudreaux" Constance Carey (Ouiser) has resided in Robbinsville, Mercer County, since 1987. She began acting in Central New Jersey for several community theater groups shortly thereafter. Connie was bitten by the acting bug while attending Duke University and being cast in Duke Players' production of The Lady's Not For Burning. After pursuing family and career goals, she finally had time to re-explore the theater experience by studying acting with drama coach Miriam Mills and with McCarter Theater's Training Wing, finally going back on stage as Big Mama in South Street Players' production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Other favorite roles include Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park; Amanda in The Glass Menagerie; Abigail in Arsenic & Old Lace; and Laura in The Second Time Around. Recently, Connie started directing comedies and dramas, most recently South Street Players' production of The Boys Next Door earlier this year at the Clarksburg Dinner Theater. She is Vice Chair of South Street Players. Connie appreciates the opportunity to be on stage for the first time with Center Players and has enjoyed working with this fine group of professionals.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
	Bernice Garfield-Szita, Director Bernice Garfield-Szita is Vice President of Center Players and one of the founding board members who helped open the doors to the Center Playhouse in 2001. She has had a deep love of the arts and theater since childhood and has been active in community theater in New York and New Jersey for over forty years. Bernice has enjoyed a wide range of theatrical involvements including, acting, singing, designing costumes and sets, makeup, and teaching drama. Some of her recent roles for Center Players have been, Co-director of Crossing Delancy, "Gerry" in Play On! and director/producer of The Immigrant. In her "day job", Bernice is Co-Director of Contemporary Counseling Center and ActionArtz Training Institute of Marlboro. She uses her drama skills to work therapeutically with individuals, couples, families and groups. She and her husband Bob Szita are Psychodrama Trainers. They use their creative skills to design exciting, interactive training programs for business, healthcare, and educational organizations. Bernice is currently being honored by the community as a nominee for the Athena Award. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding business and professional women and individuals who provide assistance, encouragement and mentoring to other women. Her direction of Steel Magnolias reflects this commitment. Bernice is thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with the marvelously talented ensemble cast of Steel Magnolias and the joy of seeing her vision of the possibilities of this production come to life through the skilled hands of our gifted design, technical, and back stage team.