Just got home from the read-thru of Steel Magnolias. I guess I didn't mention it before, but I got cast as Shelby in the Palace production that will open July 13th. It is funny how things happen. I never in a million years thought I would be playing the Julia Roberts part in Steel Magnolias. The show has just never spoken to me on a Southern level. I was born and raised in Texas, but my parents are Yankees from Pennsylvania. I don't have a southern Grandma feeding people and saying things like "I swanee." I simple was never interested in doing the show.

But when the scripts came in a couple of weeks ago, I decided to read it to see if I changed my mind, and I did. Not because I love the colors blush and bashful, or feel any more at home in a home-based beauty parlor. But because I am a mom now. When you have a child everything changes, they tell you that, but it really is true. I cried when I read the script. Because I can relate to Shelby who wants a child so badly she is willing to stupidly risk her life to have one. I relate to M'Lynn's trauma of dealing with her sick daughter and the pain of losing her. I just wanted to be a part of the show that shows how women can play the odds in life and win or lose, be surrounded and supported by her women friends.

So after a grueling 3-hour callback audition, I got the role of Shelby. And I have to find a way to relate to a woman who loves pink to distraction and has to have the absolute perfect color of nail polish or the day will be a failure. Luckily the script is well-written and the cast is great. It should be just enough of a challenge and good time had by all.