Saw the Play Steel Magnolias

     I saw Steel Magnolias yesterday and loved it. Actress Christine Ebersole, is cast as Shelby's mother and is just wonderful as she tries to cope with the seriousness of her daughters illness and later as she copes with death. However, this is not a sad play, it is funny and uplifting. There a plenty of light moments. The women who frequent Truvy's Beauty Shop (Delta Burke is Truvy) are from all walks of life; from the newly hired shampoo girl Annelle (Lily Rabe) who lives on the wrong side of town, to Clairee (Frances Sternhagen) the wealthiest women in town. These lovely southern women are, or become 'hell or high water' good friends who argue, insult and protect each other. When Shelby's mother talks about her daughters death she says, "her father could not stay in the room with her, he said he could not watch. Men are supposed to be the strong ones...but I stayed with her...I was there when she came into this world and I was there when she left it."  She has a moment when she breaks down and all of the women, her friends gather around her to offer her strength, unity and friendship--there are no delicate flowers here, they are steel magnolias.  Did I cry? You betcha. As I was walking out of the theater I started thinking of my female friends, and with just a little saddness and a lot of pride, I realized that we too are steel magnolias. 

I was starving, but really hate to eat in touristy places. They are always so crowded and filled with tourists.<big grin>.  I ended up going to Barrymore's, just down the street from the Lyecum on W. 45th. It was just what I needed. I walked in and they had the televison on with sub titles only. They were playing Luther Vandrose low in the background. When the bartender brought my drink I said I see you are playing Luther. His response was Had to. I listened to two conversations near me, one was about Beaver Cleaver and why Eddie Haskell was so obnoxious, the other was about Sandra Day O'Conner's replacement. I was asked what I wanted to see on television. I chose horse or car racing. They found a station for me. LOL, my kind of place. Stay away from the spinach salad. It was bad a long time ago and still is :-(