At their annual meeting, January 10, 2023, Monroe Theatre Guild announced their 2023 Colony Brands Season. The new year begins with Steel Magnolias, directed by Jennie Lembach. The director shared her personal relationship to the story having lost a family member to Diabetes, making this a must-direct for her alongside Assistant Director, Jonah Levia. Lembach wanted to work with a smaller cast, and she will as the cast features only six actresses: Kate Eliasson as Truvy, Alli Buckets as Annelle, Melanie Zentner as Clairee, Emily Duvall as Shelby, Melissa Schnepper as M'Lynn, and Denise Plantenberg as Ouiser.

Written by Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias tells the story of a group of women who are, as the title suggests, delicate as magnolias but tough as steel. In synopsis, Truvy runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. Along with her eager new assistant, Annelle, Truvy styles the hair of many of the women about town: wealthy widow and former first lady of Chinquapin, Clairee, local curmudgeon Ouiser, compassionate career woman M'Lynn, and her daughter Shelby, the prettiest girl in town. Shelby's wedding is the talk of the town, but the joy of her special day quickly turns to concern as she faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications due to her long history with Diabetes. When Shelby dies from the complications of the disease, M'Lynn has to deal with the most difficult challenge: the loss of one's child. As the women make their way together over life's many hurdles they find comfort, with a fair amount of verbal ribbing, in one another.

Monroe Theatre Guild is also sponsoring a theme-based silent auction with all proceeds going directly to the American Diabetes Association. In keeping with the setting of the play and the underlying story of the devastating effects of Diabetes, the auction will feature donated items and gift certificates from local hair salons and barber shops. To make an auction donation for this cause, please reach out to MTG at info@monroetheatre.com. Items for bid can be viewed on the MTG website starting March 1, and in the MTG lobby during Steel Magnolias' performances. The silent auction wraps up during the intermission of the final performance on March 19. Successful bidders need not be present to win. The show will have six performances on the Colony Brands Stage: March 10th at 7:00 p.m., March 11th at 7:00 p.m., March 12th at 2:00 p.m., March 17th at 7:00 p.m., March 18th at 7:00 p.m., with the final performance March 19th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available on MTG's website at http://www.monroetheatre.com or can also be purchased at the MTG Ticket Window Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., at 910 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI, or by calling (608) 325-1111.