It’s no coincidence that the Leelanau Players’ next production will be Steel Magnolias.
The play is set in the South and centers around the lives of six women, including a young woman who has diabetes. 
Kristy VerSnyder of Lake Leelanau, a member of the theater group’s board of directors, has been dealing with diabetes for most of her life. She said that March will be the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis of the disorder.
“It has been tough at times, especially when I was young. I wasn’t invited to some of my friend’s houses because their parents didn’t know what to do when my blood sugar level would get low,” she said, adding that Leelanau Players often performs benefits for non-profit groups. “We have talked about doing something related to diabetes and this year seemed to be as good a time as any.”
THE LEELANAU PLAYERS will hold six performances of Steel Magnolias this weekend and next as a fundraiser for the Ryan Dobry Diabetes Charity. Playing the parts of six main characters are (from left) Gloria Thomas, Truvy; Kayla Ginop, Annelle; Cindy Rutherford, Ouiser; Annette Kleinschmidt, Clairee; Susan McConnell, M’Lynn; and Sherry McCarty, Shelby. Al Lien of Elmwood Township is the director.
The six performances will be a fundraiser for the Ryan Dobry Diabetes Charity. The charity, founded by local radio disc jockey Ryan Dobry, raises money to help uninsured diabetics cover expenses related to their treatment. VerSnyder said the charity covered her costs when she had an insulin pump placed in her body.
“My life has been so much better since I had the pump put in, it has been a blessing,” said VerSnyder, who believes there is a much better awareness about diabetes and how it can impact people.
“I work as a waitress and some people I have worked with didn’t understand that when my blood sugar is low I’m not as aware of what is going on around me. I don’t run into that as much as I used to,” she said.
Steel Magnolias will be performed Feb. 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Leland Performing Arts Center at Leland Public School. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.leelanau.com/leelanauplayers, or at the door.
Cast performers and their roles include:
• Sherry McCarty of Traverse City as Shelby.
• Susan McConnell of Lake Leelanau as M’Lynn.
• Annette Kleinschmidt of Cedar as Clairee.
• Cindy Rutherford of Lake Leelanau as Ouiser.
• Kayla Ginop of Traverse City as Annelle.
• Gloria Thomas of Northport as Truvy.
Thomas said she was attracted to the role of Truvy, the hairdresser. “Most of the play is set in her salon. Truvy is a great character. She is a lighthearted person who helps to relieve the tension,” Thomas said.
Thomas said she’s always enjoyed the theater and was able to participate in a few plays put on by the local theater troupe in the late 1970s. She has been back with the Leelanau Players for about three or four years, and serves on the board.
Kleinschmidt said she first saw the play as a teenager with her mother. “I’ve always really liked the story and I loved the movie,” she said. When the call for auditions went out, she said she had only one role in mind for herself. “I really wanted to be Clairee. She is this funny, sweet character who is a real smart aleck,” Kleinschmidt said.
While the individual roles are demanding for each actress, Kleinschmidt said it’s the relationship between all six women that makes the story so compelling.
“The story centers around the close friendship of these women of different ages. It’s very compelling,” she said.
This entry was submitted by - Chris Olson
