Curtain rises for new Ramona theater troupe with 'Steel Magnolias'

By RUTH LEPPER - For the North County Times | Wednesday, May 7, 2008 2:05 PM PDT ∞

ACToR, a new acting company in Ramona, is kicking off its first season this weekend with a production of "Steel Magnolias," the delectable story of five Southern women in a small town in Louisiana. It opens a two-weekend run May 9 at the Ramona Mainstage Theatre.

ACToR stands for Actors Community Theatre of Ramona. The three people spearheading the group have been working together in other community theater venues for about five years. Chaunsa Cron is the executive director, Candy Randall is the artistic director and Tony Randall is president of the board of directors. He also is the stage director for "Steel Magnolias."

"It's definitely been a group effort," Tony Randall said. "Everyone's been encouraged to give out ideas."

The choice to stage "Steel Magnolias" was the group's decision because of its broad appeal.

"We figured the community of Ramona would really embrace the show," Candy Randall said.

The play, written by Robert Harling, takes place in Truvy's Beauty Salon in the 1980s, where the women typically gather on Saturdays to share the trials and tribulations going on in their lives. The story opens on Shelby's wedding day and ends 18 months later.

Candy Randall plays Truvy. Andrea Williams is Shelby and Sharon Callahan plays her mother, M'lynn. Their next-door neighbor, Ouiser, is played by Susanne Bolin.

Clairee, widow of the town's mayor, is played by Sandy Teichert. Annelle, a new girl in town now working for Truvy, is played by Lindsay Gwizdak.

Tony Randall said one of the challenges he faced with this production was that three of the actors are making their stage debuts in "Steel Magnolias."

"What I'm really excited about is that half of the cast really hasn't done anything," he said. "I'm really excited about their performances. At the beginning, it was just getting them on board, but they've been so eager to please. It's been really quick."

The group's plans include starting a children's touring company. Auditions for youngsters ages 6 to 18 are set for mid-June.

"We really want to reach out to the community," Candy Randall said.

"Steel Magnolias"

Where: ACToR at the Ramona Mainstage Theatre; 626 Main St., Ramona

When: 7:30 p.m. May 9-10 and May 16-17; 2 p.m. May 11 and May 18

Tickets: $10, general; $8, seniors and military; $6, children ages 12 and under

Info: (760) 703-4854

Web: www.actorramona.com

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, email addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.