"Steel Magnolias" begins with wedding preparations, the sounds of barking dogs and gunshots and a mysterious stranger's arrival to a beauty parlor in a small Louisiana town where everyone knows everyone.
Truvy's Beauty Parlor is a place where the six characters of "Steel Magnolias" share recipes and the secrets of their lives. The stage is set with all the accouterments of a salon - all that's missing is the smell of nail polish and hair spray.
The proprietoress of Truvy's Beauty Parlor attributes her success to the fact that "there is no such thing as natural beauty."
The Carson Valley Community Theatre's production of Robert Harling's 1987 play "Steel Magnolias" runs for four evening and two Sunday matinee performances this weekend and Oct. 26-28 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.
Carson Valley's local talent comes together as bosom buddies in this story of life, love and loss in a small Louisiana parish.
Directed by Lucille Rao, the cast includes Victoria Grathwohl as Truvy, Chanden Tolbert as Shelby, Elizabeth Brissenden as Annelle, Ann Delahay as M'Lynn, Margaret Edson as Ouiser and Carolyn Lancaster as Clairee.
The Carson Valley Community Theatre's production of "Steel Magnolias" is performed 7 p.m. tonight, Saturday and on Oct. 26 and 27 with 2 p.m. matinees Sunday and Oct. 28.
Cost is $15 general admission with senior, student and group (eight or more) tickets for $12.
Tickets are available at The Record-Courier, 1503 Highway 395, Gardnerville, Comma Coffee, 312 South Carson St., Carson City, at the door and at carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org.
Dinner and show packages are $45 for the Friday and Saturday night shows and may be purchased at Barone & Reed Food Co., 1599 Esmeralda Ave.
For group ticket information, contact Ted Nagel at 720-8316.
