I’ll just say it right now. Larry Buzzeo is one of the brightest jewels in South Florida’s theatrical crown, and what queen doesn’t love a crown?

The talented actor again proves that he is just as deft as a director and producer. He’s assembled a talented ensemble that does true justice to Robert Harling’s beloved slice of Southern American pie, “Steel Magnolias.” It’s always difficult to stage a revival of a play when the screen adaptation was so perfectly cast, and the performances are so indelibly etched into our memory. I saw the show opening night and there were a few stumbled lines, and the pace could have been picked up just a bit, but by the second act, the cast seemed to feel comfortable in their roles and the rest of the show flew by.

The show is set in the mid-1980s, and the set is absolutely perfect, from the color scheme, right down to the magazines on the tables. If I had one complaint, it’s that it looks a little too nice to be in a converted carport. But maybe Truvy’s husband Carl, when he does get off that couch, is a remarkable craftsman. “Steel Magnolias” is a must-see, primarily because of the terrific cast.

Each of the talented cast members does a superb job of making the character their own, starting with Dalia Aleman and Alexandra Van Hasselt as mother and daughter, M’Lynn and Shelby. Aleman brings a regalness to her role and you can tell she is the matriarch of her family, she gives off Louise Fletcher vibes and when she breaks down in the second act, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Van Hasselt brings more depth to Shelby than Jullia Roberts did. Although an equal to her in beauty, you can feel why she aches for her own child and is willing to put her life at risk.

Beverly Blanchette’s Truvy is not quite as “out there” as Dolly Parton’s interpretation (which, let’s be real, she was just playing Dolly, as she always does). Blanchette’s interpretation is more of an earthmother and it works well (plus she gives good hair!). While no one can top Shirley MacLaine’s Ouiser, Elli Murray does a damn good job and has some of the best jokes in the script. Another role that is impossible to top is Olympia Dukakis’ interpretation of Clairee, but Elissa Solomon makes the role her own, making Clairee a little less grand and a bit tougher. I always felt the role of Annelle was kind of pointless. She served no real plot purpose, but after seeing Susanna Ninomiya’s turn in the role, the character makes sense now. Her lost child is a little too over-the-top at first, but as the play progresses, she opens and blossoms, like, well, a steel magnolia.

“Steel Magnolias”
Art Buzz Theatrics & Florida Theatrical Events
Through Oct. 20
Empire Stage
1140 N Flagler Dr.
954-678-1496
empirestage.com