Out of 25 women who auditioned, only six were chosen to appear in this spring’s Richmond Community Theater production of “Steel Magnolias.”

After the initial two-day audition, 14 women were called back and in the end Ellen Geanes was cast as Shelby, Amanda Perry as Annelle, Trish McGee as M’Lynn, Lindsay Melton as Truvy, Micki Deese as Ouiser, and Frances Thomas as Clairee.

“I don’t usually call that many people back but we had a lot of talented ladies and needed to take a longer look at them,” said Director Mark Colbenson. “I had some tough decisions.”

Geanes, of Rockingham, who will be playing Shelby, will be doing so for the second time. She first starred as Shelby 10 years ago when she was in high school in Wilmington.

“It’s a beautiful script and the role is very close to my heart,” Geanes said.

This is Geanes’ second show with Richmond Community Theater. Her first was “Sea Marks.”

“I’m very much looking forward to it,” Geanes said about “Steel Magnolias.” “ It’s a wonderful play and everyone needs to see it — men and women.”

Perry, who will be playing Annelle said she’s excited about the play, but a little nervous.

“I think it will be a challenge to play such a well-known character, but I think I’m ready for it,” she said. “I think Annelle is a very complex character. She goes through a lot of changes and she gets to play a mix. She goes from naive, to being the bad girl, to the goody-two-shoes, so it’s going to be a lot of fun playing all of those things.”

This is Perry’s third show, on-stage, with Richmond Community Theater. She’s previously acted in “A Christmas Carol” and “Foxfire,” and has worked backstage helping with everything from props to costumes for several other shows.

The cast will have it’s first read-through on Monday and then start in with rehearsals on Tuesday.

The set is already under construction and performances are scheduled for April 8-18.

“Steel Magnolias” is written by Robert Harling and is reportedly based on his experience with the death of his sister. The action of the play centers on Truvy’s beauty parlor in Louisiana where the local women regularly gather. The play opens on the morning of Shelby’s wedding and covers events during the next three years of their lives.

Robert Watkins, who served as stage manager for “The Diaries of Adam and Eve” will serve as stage manager again for “Steel Magnolias” and Mary O’Kelly and Merrie Dawkins will be doing costumes.

Colbenson said he’ll need some crew and tech help, so anyone interested is asked to call the theater at 997-3765.

“We’re looking forward to a good show,” Colbenson said. “I think I’ve got a good cast. It’s a classic.”

In between shows, Colbenson and volunteers have been cleaning up and repainting the theater and are almost finished with that project.

“It’s coming along really well,” he said. “We should be in good shape by the time the show opens.”

The box office will open April 5 for “Steel Magnolias.”

For more information on ways you can help, or for tickets when the box office opens, contact (910) 997-3765.

Staff writer Eren Tataragasi can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or at etataragasi@yourdailyjournal.com.