The Repertory East Playhouse is proud to open its 2008 season with "Steel Magnolias ," written by Robert Harling and sponsored by Mission View Public Schools.

"This is a perfect fit for our stage and a wonderful piece of theatre to open our season with. It truly is, 'a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South'. We are all very excited for this production." said Artistic Director Ovington Michael Owston.

"Steel Magnolias" will open on Friday, Jan. 18, with an opening night gala at 7 p.m.and curtain at 8 p.m. Opening night gala is sponsored by Travel Center Santa Clarita with wine and food sponsored by Loose Goose Wine Festival and RSVP Catering.

"Steel Magnolias" will run through Feb. 16. Show times will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

There will be no show Sunday, Feb. 3.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Advance reservations are highly recommended. For tickets, purchase online at www.repeastplayhouse.org or call 661-288-0000.

The theater is located at 24266 Main St., Newhall.

The REP will host two post-show discussions on Sundays, Jan. 20 and 27, immediately following the show. Join the cast and crew for an intimate discussion about the process of creating live theater.

The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, La., where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby is about to marry a "good ole boy."

Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby risks pregnancy and forfeits her life.

The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength-and love-which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Director Mikee Schwinn and Assistant Director Jennie Magon have assembled a stellar cast of professional actresses along with the REP's resident design staff - Nanook, Tim Christianson and Ryan Todd.

Jeff Hyde returns to the REP as set designer and Lauren Pearsall will stage manage. The show stars Julie Sanford, Ryann Turner, Erin Michaels, Willow Hale, Nicle Dionne and Von Rae Wood.