In late 2023, a community theater presentation of STEEL MAGNOLIAS sold out, night after night after night. Audience members returned with friends, family, and some even traveled across state lines to see the production again.
What was so special about this show? The cast. The sentiment that echoed night after night from the audience was “it was like watching a real group of friends up there.“ The secret? They were. Although they had met just a few months before under the careful direction of Sharon Coyle, this group of women formed an unbreakable bond. That friendship was the birthplace of Magnolia Productions.
“In community theater you usually do a show, promise to keep in touch and say goodbye,” said Magnolia cofounder Samantha Ambler. “Most times that doesn’t actually happen, though. You may see each other for a little while, but after time, everyone gets busy and moves onto new projects. We knew we weren’t willing to let that happen to this group. We weren’t willing to let go of each other.”
The solution? Ambler and castmate Christa Collier decided to start their own company, dubbing it “Magnolia Productions”. Producing plays with friends was only the first of their goals–the bigger aim was to give a voice to women. Magnolia was founded on the principle of presenting stories by women, for women, to women. They believe every woman has a story worth telling and hearing.
This month they are telling some of the hardest stories to hear. On June 12 they open a production of the still-controversial THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES by V (formerly known as Eve Ensler). “It’s wild that even in 2026, this is still considered a taboo subject,” said board member and co-director Anne Kaufman. “This play gives audiences–women in particular–the chance to connect to each other and to the community that shares these experiences. That’s what community theater is, and should be about.”
The play features monologues with a variety of topics affecting the female body. Some are humorous and lighthearted, others tell stories of abuse and atrocities committed against women. The cast features 13 actresses of diverse backgrounds telling the stories of hundreds of women.
“These are the kinds of stories Magnolia was created to tell. No matter how uncomfortable they may be to hear,” said Ambler, also co-directing this production.
For this show’s community outreach, Magnolia Productions is hosting a donation drive for The She Shed of the Bayshore area. They are asking all audience members to make a donation of new, sealed feminine hygiene products. At the end of the show’s run, all of the donations will be given to The She Shed to help women in the local area who are in need.
Magnolia Productions is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community theater group founded and run by women. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES is the last show in their second complete season. Their first season, which consisted of four shows, garnered them six nominations for excellence in theater from New Jersey Association of Community Theater.
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES runs June 12-20 with performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, plus 2 PM on Saturdays, at The Theater at the Navesink Library: 149 Monmouth Ave. in Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are available at magnoliaproduction.ludus.com.
Theater/Organization: Magnolia Productions
Theater Address: The Theater at the Navesink Library, 149 Monmouth Ave, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716 (Map It)
Theater Phone:
