These magnolias aren't made of steel. And Southern belles they're not. Playwright Beth Henley's black comedy revolves around a trio of neurotic sisters who are fragile and resilient, sane and crazy, brave and fearful, but never, ever dull. These Mississippi siblings also represent three of the usual roles taken on by children in a dysfunctional family. There's Becky, nicknamed Babe, the baby of the family. Babe is also the "lost child," a sweet but unstable woman who drifts in and out fantasy. Played to perfection by real-life Southerner Alyson King, Babe is also easily victimized—here, by a violent husband, whom she shoots after he abuses her young African-American lover.
Much of the action surrounds her evolving defense. Meg, who's portrayed with pizzazz by another Southern gal, the fetching Samantha Coker, is the second-born sister and "family rebel." This flirtatious firecracker is a would-be singer who moved to L.A. but returns to support Babe and her dying grandfather. Meg is also a player and emotional runner, scared of commitment but too afraid to show her fear. Lenny, the eldest sister, is the "responsible child," who stayed alone to care for her grandfather. Lenny has put everyone's needs ahead of her own, a martyr's persona nailed by the multitalented Penny L. Moore, who ably directs the play and also designed the set and costumes.
This first-rate revival also features Terri Simmons, who's terrific as Chick, the McGrath sisters' passive-aggressive cousin and a super beeyatch; Bill Billions, who plays Barnette, the impassioned young defense attorney smitten with Babe; and Derek Grauer, whose portrayal of Doc, Meg's former lover, is rather flat and unemotional.
"Crimes of the Heart," presented by Doxie 4 Productions and The Actors Repertory in association with and at The Actors Group Theatre, 4378 Lankershim Blvd., Universal City. Fri.-Sun. 8 p.m. Jul. 8-Aug. 14. $12-15. (818) 506-4644.