Taylor Quick had never acted for Stages St. Louis before this year, but now she’s going to star in back-to-back productions. Currently, she’s playing Shelby in “Steel Magnolias,” and will take the stage in July in “Newsies.”
Quick initially only auditioned for the musical “Newsies.” She has actually never been in a professional play before.
“I did one play in college,” she says.
She’s focused her career on musicals, appearing in the touring production of “Anastasia” and performing in musicals at regional theaters around the country.
After auditioning for “Newsies” in New York, where she lives, Quick returned for a callback.
“Before I went into the room for callbacks Gayle (Seay, artistic director for Stages), came out in the hall and said ‘Hey, we’re also doing “Steel Magnolias,” and we haven’t found Shelby yet. I was wondering if you would come do a cold read for me and Andrew and the director later today.’”
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Quick agreed and found out a few hours later that she would be in “Steel Magnolias.” The part in “Newsies” followed a couple of days later.
Quick found her footing in her first play. “Steel Magnolias” is Stages second play in its 37 year history.
Last year, the company found success with the play “Clue,” which is Stages’ highest-grossing show ever.
That success led Stages to put on “Steel Magnolias,” this year.
“The primary reason for choosing ‘Steel Magnolias’ was the universality. That’s what people fell in love with with ‘Clue,’” says Andrew Kuhlman, executive director of Stages. Most people have played the board game or seen “Clue” the movie. “Steel Magnolias,” which is a 1989 movie starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Shirley MacLaine, is also a cultural touchstone.
“‘Steel Magnolias’ is such a beloved film, and the story is one that we can all connect to, especially here in the Midwest,” Kuhlman says.
Quick plays Shelby, a young woman with type 1 diabetes living in a small Louisiana town. She and her mom both go to Truvy’s hair salon along with other local women, and the play follows their lives and friendships over the course of several years starting with Shelby’s wedding day.
“I just love (Shelby’s) outlook on life. She’s so vivacious and fearless and bright, and she looks at life through a positive lens, no matter, her struggles,” Quick says. She also has seen, but doesn’t try to replicate, Julia Roberts’ performance as Shelby in the film version. “I’ve always loved Julia Roberts. I think she’s such an amazing actress. No one can replicate her performance. I would never try to, but it’s just an honor to play that character.”
“Steel Magnolias” runs through the end of the month, and then Quick will get one day off before starting rehearsals for “Newsies.” It is actually the first time that Stages will have a Disney production on its mainstage.
“Bringing a Disney piece like Newsies to the mainstage was really important for us,” Kuhlman says. Stages has a large Performing Arts Academy for young actors and many of them will be appearing in the musical, which features a young cast.
Back at the turn of the 20th century, boys would sell newspapers on street corners. “Newsies” is about those boys going on strike after publishers try to cut into their profits.
Quick plays Katherine, a journalist who is covering the strike while falling in love with one of the strike leaders, Jack Kelly (Christian Bale in the 1992 film). She also has a secret that could ruin everything.
“She’s a strong-willed, smart heroine, so I can’t wait to step into her shoes,” Quick says of the role, which doesn’t exist in the film.
The more familiar musical landscape will see Quick and the rest of the cast doing a lot of dancing. “The choreography in ‘Newsies’ is going to be spectacular,” Kuhlman says. “The show has a lot of joy and the fight for what’s right.”
Though it’s a lot — Stages puts on up to eight shows a week — Quick is having a good time in St. Louis.
“I love it!” She says. “Because I’m here for so long, I’ve gotten to explore all the areas. I stumbled on the historic Main Street for St. Charles the other day, and I was like, ‘Where am I? This is amazing.’ It’s like out of a Hallmark movie, it’s so sweet.”
She also saw her first show at the Muny and went to the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards at the Fox.
“It is so cool to see how supported the arts are here,” Quick says.