Jamie Turner has missed a couple of cues during rehearsals of “Steel Magnolias.”
It’s not that Turner forgot her lines or that she made a mistake. She was simply in awe of a fellow cast member who also happens to be her 15-year-old daughter, Abigail, who plays the role of Annelle.
During a recent rehearsal, Jamie Turner, who plays Truvy, said everyone in the cast was on stage and they were going through their lines when Jamie Turner was drawn into her daughter’s acting. Abigail was no longer Abigail. She’d completely transformed into her character.
“She’s Annelle,” said Jamie Turner. “I was completely blown away. I thought ‘Oh my goodness, that’s my daughter.’”
This isn’t the first time the mother-daughter duo has been on stage together.
Abigail Turner grew up in the theater. Her mom and her dad, Dustin Turner, have been in multiple shows over the years.
Jamie Turner recalled one rehearsal at Aiken Community Theatre several years ago when she heard laughter at the wrong time. Abigail Turner, who was about 2, was at the rehearsal. She was mimicking everything she saw her mom doing, and the other actors were responding to her.
A few years ago, the Turners were on stage together with the Aiken production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
Playing Truvy is a bucket list role for Jamie Turner, who fell in love with the character after seeing the movie with Dolly Parton in the role. The characters of Truvy and Annelle have a special bond in the play and Annelle even alludes to Truvy being like a mother to her.
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Both Abigail and Jamie Turner said they’ve been enjoying preparing for the show and being part of a great cast.
“Bradley (Watts, the director) said he feels like he’s eavesdropping on six friends,” Jamie Turner said.
“Steel Magnolias” is being performed by The Main Street Players at the William Bouknight Discovery Center in Edgefield.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. March 4, 5, 11 and 12 and at 3 p.m. March 6 and 13. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by calling (803) 637-2233.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
