Back to the ’80s: from Shakespeare to ‘Magnolias’

What was going on in the ’80s for theatre majors at Messiah? For one, students spent their first two years on the Grantham campus and their last two at the former Philadelphia location that operated in partnership with Temple University. They also performed a series theatrical classics.

In 1986, Richard Roberson, who served as dean of what was previously known as the School of the Arts, was busy conducting the spring production of “West Side Story” at Messiah. For this production and several after, the department had Marianne Flynn Krahulec, a former Rockette, in charge of the choreography. Additional plays during the decade included Messiah’s productions of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and Norman Jewison’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Times have changed since then, but the ‘80s are back with the current production of “Steel Magnolias,” a play written by Robert Harling in 1987 that has become a classic of its own over the decades. Set in a hair salon, the story follows the ups and downs of several women in a small Louisiana town. Being immersed in ’80s culture gave the Gen Z students—many of whom didn’t know the plot of the play—a chance to learn about such things such as hot rollers and call waiting.

“Being able to look through and listen to a bunch of ’80s music to find what will fit this show’s vibe has been so fun! There are a lot of exciting moments and, of course, a lot of sad ones and having music to reflect that is amazing,” said Lauren Forlow ’25, a film major who worked as the sound designer and sound board operator on the November production.

Theatre major Maddy Oliver ’24, who played the cantankerous but lovable Ouiser Boudreaux in the show, said, “The community in the cast of ‘Steel Magnolias’ has made this show an invaluable experience.”

The show also served as an opportunity to for the larger Messiah community to gather for live performances.

“Working on ‘Steel Magnolias’ has been like stepping into a warm hug after years of social distancing,” said Elizabeth Angelozzi, who directed the show. “It has restored our sense of community.”

— Molly McKim ’23