The Prairie Arts Council is pleased to announce the cast of its Spring play, “Steel Magnolias.”  The show, written by Robert Harling, is centered around six women: Truvy, the gossip with a heart of gold and owner of Truvy’s Beauty Spot, Annelle, a shy, new beautician, Clairee, a true southern Grande Dame with a wicked sense of humor, Shelby, a young woman determined to live life to the fullest despite numerous health problems, M’Lynn, Shelby’s sometimes overly protective mother, and Ouiser, a caustic older woman whose sarcasm cannot completely conceal her genuine kindness.  Harling’s play follows the lives of these southern ladies as they congregate in Truvy’s beauty shop and share in each other’s joys and sorrows.  

Full of acerbic humor, hilarious one-liners, deep emotion, and beautiful poignancy, this show promises to bring audiences to both laughter and tears.  The cast includes Julie Grady of Princeton as Truvy, Kate Buckley of Princeton as Annelle, Karen Rogers of Utica as Clairee, Rachel Gorenz of Princeton as Shelby, Kathy Missel of Streator as M’Lynn, and Jill Marti of Princeton as Ouiser, with Shelley Gorenz of Princeton serving as the director.  Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling Mary Sue Goldsmith at 815-872-3503.