There are certain places that are synonymous with great theatre. New York. Chicago. London. Lake Nuangola. Wait a minute? Lake Nuangola? Believe it or not, the lakeside town was once quite the spot for professional summer stock theatre, drawing big name actors like Kirk Douglas. Of course, that was quite a few years back. The Grove Theater first opened in 1934, producing 12 to 15 shows a season before the final curtain fell in 1957. With sounds of applause long gone, the building was purchased by the Diocese of Scranton and began serving the small community as St. Ann’s Church.
St. Ann’s closed its doors in 2000, leaving only echoes of days gone by. Not wanting to see all that rich local history left to fading memories, the Nuangola Grove Association purchased the building with the hope of renovating the space and bringing live theatre back to the Grove. Though the group hosted musical acts and theatrical performances, it couldn’t seem to find just the right troupe to call the Grove home. That is until last summer when Grove Theatricals came along with a season full of crowd-pleasers like “Nunsense” and “Last of the Red-Hot Lovers.”
Now professional theatre once again has a place at Lake Nuangola, and Grove Theatricals is set to begin a second season, opening with “Steel Magnolias” under the direction of Christa Manning. Though most people probably know Robert Harling’s tearjerker comedy from the 1989 movie version featuring Julia Roberts and Sally Field in its star-studded cast, the tale began off-Broadway in 1987. Based on the relationship between Harling’s mother and his late sister, the playwright penned the story of six Southern women in a small-town beauty shop in about 10 days.
While “Steel Magnolias” was clearly written by a man who knows and understands women, Manning feels that the director’s job requires a woman’s touch.
“I wanted to give it a female point of view, and I’m the only female director at the Grove right now,” she says.
But after just a few moments of chatting with her, it’s clear that her part in the show — which includes appearing as Truvy as well as directing — comes out of something more than a sisterly obligation.
“It’s just because I love the show so much,” she says.
The Grove’s current production gives Manning yet one more reason to love “Steel Magnolias” — her cast. The ladies in the beauty shop include Manning’s daughter, Kara Reipert, Judy Fried, Barbara Janick, Lauren Costanza and Barbara Wilson. Though she’s spent rehearsals hopping between the salon chair and the director’s chair with only three weeks to pull the production together, it’s clear Manning enjoys every minute of it.
“Everybody showed up with their game on,” she says.
And the existing relationship between the actresses doesn’t hurt either.
“The camaraderie between the six of us as people makes it that much easier to bring it to the stage as characters,” Manning says. “It’s been so much easier because we know each other, and it really shows on stage.”
Manning’s one worry going into the final week of rehearsals is adding the wig and costume changes with limited backstage space and limited time allowed in the script.
“That’s how you can tell a man wrote this show,” she says, laughing.
All kidding aside, having been an integral part of Grove Theatrical’s inaugural season, Manning can’t wait to take to the stage to open season two. Technical Director Joe Sheridan has been busy working on the venue to improve audience sight lines, and the folks at the Grove have put a great deal of thought into choosing the right shows to avoid a sophomore slump.
“Last year was so strong, we’d like to see it even stronger this year,” says Manning.
With a season including “Always, Patsy Kline,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “Plaza Suite,” the troupe’s plans just might be working. According to Manning, people have been stopping in during rehearsals to find out when the shows will be up and running.
“It’s easy to get excited because the audience is as excited as we are,” she says. “It’s a great feeling because you know people are sitting around talking about it and the anticipation is there.”
Right now, though, Manning’s excitement is firmly focused on the season opener, and she’s hoping that the buzz translates into ticket sales. And while many might feel “Steel Magnolias” is a live version of a chick flick, Manning disagrees.
“There’s something in it for everyone,” says Manning. “Everyone can see themselves or someone they know in the cast. The dialogue is so real. That’s why I love the show. You’re so relaxed watching it, you actually feel like you’re a part of it. You’re gonna cry from laughing so hard, and you’re gonna cry from the tragedy of it, too. The price of a ticket is a couple of gallons worth of gas. It’s a great night out, and it’s a lot of fun.”
w
go:
What: Steel Magnolias
When: May 16-17, 23-24 at 8 p.m.,
May 18, 25 at 3 p.m.
Where: The Grove Theatre,
Lake Ave. and Nuangola Rd.,
Lake Nuangola
Tickets: $15
Info: 570.208.7679