by Charlotte Garcia Da Rosa

I stopped coloring my hair six years ago and embraced the journey of joining a silver-haired sisterhood. Having been a loyal client of my hair stylist for over 20 years, I found myself missing our scheduled hair color appointments every six weeks and not just because I knew my silver roots would be disappearing back when I was still coloring my hair. It would mean I wouldn’t be seeing her as often. Yes, getting the pampered treatment of a calming scalp massage and shampoo felt great! Having someone else blow dry and style my hair always left me feeling pampered and refreshed. But more than that–the time I regularly spent inside the safety of the four walls of my stylist’s salon meant “me time”, and “friend time”. Because you see, when you find your person that you trust to cut your hair, color it, manicure your nails etc…you don’t let them go.

They help you express who you are through the many seasons of your life through their styling talents. That can be very vulnerable and personal. Your “reveals” in the mirror at the end of your appointment not only show you your latest visual update, but the person revealing your look’s time and care for you. These appointments last an hour tor two each time and become filled with life check ins, deep talks, laughter, some tea-spilling gossip, maybe some shedding of tears, and so much more. If you are lucky, your stylist becomes your friend or even better–our chosen family. This is what we witness in the Visalia Players’ production of Steel Magnolias opening on Friday, February 28, 2025 at The Ice House Theater.

The journey to bring Steel Magnolias to The Ice House stage has been one of hard work, joy, anticipation, and vulnerability. I am lucky to serve as the show’s producer-which means my main job is to support the director through the entire production process. Under the direction of Velva Hampson, a Visalia Players veteran performer making her directorial debut, this well-known and beloved story has brought together a fantastic feminine force of local talent. Fourteen actors from around the valley tried out for the coveted six roles of M’lynn Eatenton played by Brynn Saponara, Shelby Eatenton played by Mia Anderson, Truvy Jones played by Christa Reiber, Annelle Dupuy Desoto played by Irisa Fox, Clairee Belcher played by Ali Janusiewiecz and Ouiser Boudreaux played by Robin Hammond.

While doing my weekly producer check-in with Velva and her cast and crew, she shared her thoughts about her cast and how special the production is. “The thing that has made me feel most seen and supported throughout this process is the support of the board of the Visalia Players and of this production team. I love that everyone involved in this show is coming from a place of ’yes, and…’ I also am grateful for this cast and the trust that they have shown me. They are such generous performers and people, and they are bringing these women to life in a beautiful way.” Her assistant director, Sergio Garza, also shared that “Velva has done great at making me feel safe, seen, and heard. Listening to my input and thoughts and taking each one into consideration. Not always easy as a first time director.”

Ali Janusieweicz who plays Clairee, is no stranger to local community theater stages, including Encore Theater in Tulare. She shared with me that “throughout this process, one of the things that has made me feel safe and seen is the sense of collaboration. I have felt that Velva is very secure in her vision for the show (which brings an incredible sense of security for actors in and of itself), but within that she has been open to exploring our thoughts on character and solving blocking issues. I have also really appreciated Velva’s desire to collaborate with others to ensure that we are all physically safe and comfortable with some of the physical interactions that we have on stage, ensuring that things look realistic and engaging, but also so that we all feel secure.”

In rehearsals, these six women plus three understudies, Sarah Jackson, Shanna Meier and Dana Huffaker, have formed bonds with the characters they play and the relationships between each other. Just like the four walls of Truvy’s beauty shop that protect the six southern women in their individual and shared circumstances, a strong sisterhood has formed within the four walls of the Ice House Theater.

In case you are unfamiliar with Steel Magnolias (having not seen the film that earned a then coming into her own stardom, Julia Roberts, an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Shelby Eatenton) it is a deeply moving, comedic and at times heart-wrenching story of a young woman’s challenges with Type 1 Diabetes, her mother’s worry, care and protection for her, and the strong bond and support from the four other women who loyally go to Truvy’s beauty shop for their hair care, manicures, weekly town gossip exchanges, and so much more.

“Just by being cast in the role I really wanted has made me feel seen,” Brynn Saponara (M’Lynn), who teaches drama, shared. “It’s been so long since I’ve auditioned, it was nice to know that others see potential in my abilities. The cast and director/managing team has been so welcoming and vocal in making sure everyone feels safe, so that’s been very validating. The cast’s warmth and curiosity has helped me open up a little, when usually I’m very introverted, so similarly to M’Lynn, I’m trying to find ways to voice my thoughts but still be true to myself and the relationships I build.”

Captivating newcomer to the valley theater community and the Ice House, Mia Anderson (Shelby), sums up how truly special this production of Steel Magnolias is. “I appreciate the supportive atmosphere of everyone involved in this play. Everyone has been so kind and friendly. This being an all-woman cast has been truly special. Shelby would have felt right at home here.”

The Visalia Players 2025 season opener, Steel Magnolias, will play for three weekends, beginning Friday, February 28, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. through visaliaicehouse.com. Come join these women. You’ll feel safe at home in the house of the theater, welcomed into Truvy’s beauty shop on stage, and the care of six women’s truly giving, brave, and honest performances.

If you love local theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.

Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.