THEATER REVIEW:

There are “women’s plays” by the score, but few offer such delicious acting moments for all of their cast members than Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias.” Perhaps that’s why the show has been done, redone and overdone at local theaters.

Nevertheless, familiarity tends to breed contentment when it comes to this particular beauty shop set in Chinquapin, La., being revisited by the Huntington Beach Playhouse. It also brings out the best in a few of the current inhabitants.

Director Marla Gam Hudson has chosen a cast of contrasting characters, most of whom fit comfortably into the shoes of the small-town Southern ladies who meet crises large and small with grit, gumption and a liberal dose of humor.

She’s ably assisted in this regard by Andrew Otero, who wears four hats for this production — set designer, scenic artist, set dresser and costume designer. Otero’s backdrop and atmospheric touches are particularly colorful and well-chosen for the project.

“Steel Magnolias” is set, though the program doesn’t indicate it, back in the 1980s where Truvy Jones (Lona Walker) runs a beauty salon and takes on a new assistant, the mysterious young Annelle (Tiffany Berg). It’s a big day in Chinquapin, for one of the town beauties, Shelby (Jenn Proske), is about to be married.

One by one, the rest of the local ladies arrive — Shelby’s mother M’Lynn (Autumn Browne), the elegant widow of the former mayor Clairee (Toni Beckman) and the garrulous old frog of a neighbor, Ouiser (Carla Heller), who’d rain on anyone’s parade.

As funny as Harling’s play is, even on the 10th or 12th viewing, things turn mighty serious when Shelby, a diabetic, announces her pregnancy. This later leads to another, more crucial, moment when mother and daughter face a life-threatening crisis.

Proske virtually glows as the young, headstrong Shelby, while Browne delivers a strong, heart-rending account of her mother. Their interaction is particularly well-delivered, displaying both fierce streaks of stubbornness and enormous love.

Of the four peripheral characters, Beckman makes the biggest impression in the least showy assignment. Her sense of style (perhaps a bit overdone for the setting) and sharpness of delivery magnify her character considerably.

Walker encounters some lapses of timing that neutralize her effect as the folksy salon operator, though her core character is well-fashioned. Berg is entertaining in her various guises from waif to religious zealot, while Heller maintains her disagreeable facade even during her gradual transition to likability.

“Steel Magnolias” is one of those rare pieces of theater that dares you not to laugh once more at a gag line you’ve heard a half-dozen times, such as “He didn’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.” It’s Southern-fried humor served up with a flourish at the Huntington Beach Playhouse.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Steel Magnolias”

WHO: Huntington Beach Playhouse

WHERE: Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays through April 20.

COST: $18 - $20

CALL: (714) 375-0696

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.