Tony Award winner Judith Ivey (Hurlyburly, Follies, The Glass Menagerie) directs the 7 PM benefit reading that features music by Bonnie Raitt and Pat Boone. Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A Los Angeles anniversary reading was presented in September. Ivey and Potts were also involved.
Martindale, who originated the role of Truvy in the 1987 Off-Broadway production, takes on the role of Ouiser, with Danner (Follies, Butterflies Are Free) as Clairee, Maxwell as M'Lynn, Potts ("Designing Women") as M'Lynn, Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Shelby and Stiles (Into the Woods) as Annelle.
Original cast member Constance Shulman, who portrayed Annelle, will read the stage directions.
Steel Magnolias premiered at the WPA Theatre in 1987 prior to transferring to the Lucille Lortel Theatre, where it ran for 1,126 performances. The oft-quoted comedy centers around the lives of six Southern women who gather at a local beauty salon.
The 1989 movie adaptation starred Daryl Hannah, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and Julia Roberts. The 2005 Broadway production featured Tony winner Christine Ebersole, Delta Burke, Marsha Mason, Frances Sternhagen, Lily Rabe and Rebecca Gayheart.
The 25th Anniversary Honorary Committee includes film cast members Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts.
A VIP reception with the cast and crew follows this special performance. David Youse and Four Things Productions in association with L.A. Works present the 25th anniversary reading.
