We found a nice little secret in Nuangola: Theatre At The Grove. It’s Playbill brags: “Bringing Summer Stock Theatre Back to Nuangola After 50 Years.” Summer stock theater, as the name implies, combines a tradition of seasonal shows using stock scenery and costumes. Sometimes, there is pay involved for the cast or crew. My mother taught me it was rude to inquire about such matters, but the people at the Nuangola theater ought to be paid, in my humble opinion!

We decided seeing “Steel Magnolias” would be a perfect thing to do after an early dinner at the new River Grill Café on North River Street in Wilke-Barre. Dinner, by the way, was very good. We wanted to leave Wilkes-Barre early enough for the long drive to Nuangola. The trip turned out to be less than 20 minutes! Nuangola is not at all the outpost I thought it was!

Some history is provided in the playbill (which is beefed-up with advertisements and well-wishes). It reads: “The Grove Theatre first opened in the 1930’s and for almost 30 years served up summer stock theater starring actors such as Kirk Douglas and Imogene Coca” … “The theater closed, but the Diocese of Scranton purchased it and it served as a parish for 50 years.”

Reopened and back to its roots, it boasts an impressive line-up of entertainment for the next few months: “Always, Patsy Cline - Musical” in June; “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” in August; and “Plaza Suite” in October. An ambitious schedule for any theater company.

The audience is greeted with a pre-show announcement by the Facilities Manager, Mimi Addoms, a cheery woman who is clearly proud of her facility. She gave the audience a brief history of the building and the recent work done to the stage. She reminded us about our show etiquette. At intermission (or “half-time” as my dad likes to say), Mimi approached me and others others in attendance to obtain some feedback. I’m pretty sure she heard only good reviews!

The show we saw was “Steel Magnolias.” Our party of four decided it was much better than the movie. The set was fabulous and the all-female cast kept up a great pace. It closely follows the events and characters of the movie, but in this intimate setting, they became much more real. Their personal trials belonged to the audience. It was very well done. In one scene, I nearly wept until an expertly-timed comic relief moment spared me. Evoking emotions like that takes talent and these ladies have it in spades!

There is one more weekend to see it: this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. You can call 208-7679 or email grovetickets@verizon.net. Tell Truvy I sent you.