Lake Country Playhouse opens its fall production of Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias” Friday, Oct. 16, at the Historic Select Theater in Mineola.
Running for six performances over two weekends through Oct. 25, the show centers on the bonds of love, humor and resilience shared by a close-knit group of women who gather in a Louisiana beauty salon.
Directed by Randy Parrish, with Crystal Arcand serving as assistant director, the production brings together experienced performers and newcomers to the stage.
Amy Fowler, making her stage debut as Truvy, took auditions as her sign to “get off the couch.”
Fowler draws from personal life challenges to portray Truvy’s warmth while leaning on castmate Tonya Lippencott for guidance.
Taylor Craver, who plays Annelle, brings theater experience both on stage and behind the scenes, while Jenna Trull, who plays Shelby, marked her calendar a year in advance to audition for the show.
Rebecca Brown takes on the role of M’Lynn, while Kay McEntire returns to the stage as Ouiser after a hiatus. McEntire said she had wanted to play the character for years but had previously been told she was too young.
“This time I’m old enough!” McEntire said.
Lippencott, who plays Clairee, is participating in her third production of “Steel Magnolias” and enjoys sharing the comedic scenes with McEntire.
“If the audience feels half of what we feel at practice, the show will be a resounding success,” Lippencourt said.
Parrish said the familiarity of the story may help draw audiences to the production.
“Fans of the movie will likely come see the play. Theater, at its core, gives both the actors on stage and the audience in their seats a place to escape reality and feel something together,” Parrish said.
The production took on additional meaning for the cast following the death of country singer Dolly Parton, who played Truvy in the 1989 film adaptation, during the first week of rehearsals.
“It solidified ‘let’s do this,’” Lippencott said.
The theater will feature Parton’s music during scene transitions and hold a “Bravo Bucket” donation drive at each performance, with proceeds benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a childhood literacy program.
Executive Director George Jones said the playhouse’s selection committee considers audience interest as well as the revenue productions can generate for the theater. Well-known shows can appeal to longtime patrons while introducing younger audiences to community theater.
“Every dollar helps the theater. I want to make sure we get a new generation hooked,” Jones said.
The playhouse will next present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” which will give local children an opportunity to perform on stage.
Founded in 1920 by R.T. and Mattie Hooks, the Historic Select Theater is the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Texas. Its 1948 Streamline Moderne neon tower remains a landmark in the Mineola Downtown Historic District and is tied to the local saying, “If the tower’s a-glowin, something’s a-showin.”

Know before you go
“Steel Magnolias” will be presented Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 23-25. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday performances at 2 p.m.
The Historic Select Theater is at 114 N. Johnson St. in Mineola.
Tickets are available at lakecountryplayhouse.com or by calling 903-569-2300.