Ginny King Willingham and Meredith Atwood are among the cast members that will be appearing in the Washington Little Theater production of Steel Magnolias later this month. Steel Magnolias, the season-opening play from the Washington Little Theater Company, is marked by an unusual schedule and a festive grace note, according to Director Bolton Lunceford.

As for the schedule change, performances are set for Friday night, September 29, at 8; and Saturday afternoon September 30, at 3. The Saturday matinee will be followed by a festive gala, modeled on Shelby's wedding reception as described in the play. The gala will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Wisteria Hall. Patrons may attend both play and reception, or just the play, or just the reception. Reservations for both

should be made at 706-678-9582 or by going by the theater at specified times. (See story elsewhere in this issue.)

The following week, Steel Magnolias plays on Friday and Saturday nights, October 6 and 7, at 8 p.m., and for the matinee Sunday, October 8, at 3 p.m. All performances for both weekends are at the Playhouse on North Alexander Avenue in Washington.

In addition to a sterling cast consisting of Meredith Atwood, Judy Burkham, Jerry Denard, Ginny King, Katy Leverett, Sarah Peacock and Delaney Russell, many others

have worked in order to get this show up and running. Lamont and Cathy Lannae, Bradley Barber, Rosemary Newby, Bruce Beggs, and Brian Baldwin are running sound or lights, lending beauty-parlor accouterments, or handling art work. Cast members work on the set, too, on top of all their rehearsals, "above and beyond," says Lunceford.

Then there is Joan Baker, associate director, prompter, and indefatigable worker. "We have a wonderful community here in Washington," Lunceford goes on. "A theater that has survived for 35 years is witness to that."