September 23, 24 & October 7, 8, 2023
Siddhartha Theater
Guang Ming Institute of Performing Arts, V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City
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April 1 & 2, 2023
CENEWOF Theater
Marcelo Fernan Press Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City
Are you ready to paint the town blush and bashful?
The award-winning Broadway play by Robert Harling STEEL MAGNOLIAS is coming to Cebu.
Steel Magnolias is a stage play by American writer Robert Harling, based on his experience with his sister’s death. The play is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of women. The title suggests the “female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel”. The play was popularized through its award-winning film version in 1989.
Set in the fictional northwestern Louisiana Parish of Chinquapin, the play opens at Truvy’s in-home beauty parlor where a group of women regularly gather. They discuss Shelby’s upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Jackson. The plot covers events over the next three years relating to Shelby’s Type 1 diabetes, and with how the women cope with their conflicts, while remaining friends: Shelby’s decision to have a child despite jeopardizing her health, Clairee’s friendship with the curmudgeon Ouiser; Annelle’s transformation from a shy, anxious newcomer in town to a good-time girl then repentant revival-tent Christian; and Truvy’s relationships with the men in her family. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother M’Lynn, and Shelby’s medical battles, the group’s underlying friendship is prominent throughout the drama.
Featuring:
Charlene Virlouvet, Liana San Diego, Clariza Mae Sevilla, Dahlia Alegre-Borres, Yvette Yntig, and Marlinda Angbetic Tan.
Directed by Hong Kong-based director, Allan Nazareno, and Vincent Paul D. Gaton, one of 2TinCans resident artists, who won Choreography of the Decade in Broadway Awards- Philippines in 2020. The Cebu premiere will feature Charlene Virlouvet as Truvy, Liana San Diego as Annelle, Clariza Mae Sevilla as Shelby, Dahlia Alegre-Borres as Ouiser, Yvette Yntig as M’Lynn, and Marlinda Angbetic Tan as Clairee.
CHARLENE VIRLOUVET plays Truvy Jones, the 40-year old beauty parlor owner, who’s always generous in sharing the latest rumors with anyone who’s willing to listen. Her motto, “there is no such thing as natural beauty,” is what makes Truvy’s Beauty Spot the most sought-after in Chinquapin, Louisiana.
LIANA SAN DIEGO steps into the shoes of the shy Annelle Dupuy-Despoto, and walks us through her sad and ambiguous marital affair. She wears glasses out of necessity, hair spray to hold her crown up nice and strong, and her young and troubled heart on her sleeve.
MARLINDA ANGBETIC ANG plays the role of Claire Belcher, the cheerful, gossip-hound, 66-ish widow of the former Mayor. Funny, fiery, witty.
CLARIZA MAE SEVILLA plays the role of Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, a young blush bashful bride with type 1 diabetes, who’s dealing with family stresses alongside complications. She wants to have children, but has to face the many possible struggles of a diabetic pregnancy.
The character, Shelby, was modelled after Susan Harlin Robinson, the sister of Steel Magnolias playwright, Robert Harling. Sadly, Susan went tragically from complications related to her type 1 diabetes. Her life became the inspiration of this beautiful and heart-warming play.
DAHLIA ALEGRE BORRES plays the role of Ouiser (pronounced as Weezer) Boudreaux. She’s both mature and childish; lovely, but miserable. A wealthy old bitty, whose sense of humor will shred you to bits.
YVETTE YNTIG plays the overprotective mother hen, M’Lynn Eatenton, whose time is preoccupied between being the administrator of the Mental Guidance Center and worrying about her daughter’s health.
Definitely a 150-minutes theatrical experience!!!!!
2TinCans is Cebu’s premier theatre communications company, which is engaged in artistic production, performances, and professionalization. It offers top-of-the-line transformational and socially-relevant experiences that seek to communicate advocacies, brands, and campaigns. It also endeavors to provide a creative sanctuary and platform for artists, audience, and industry development.
