A Night of Laughter, Pot Roast, and Sisterhood at Candlelight
This past weekend, my husband and I went on a double date with our dear friends to the Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Johnstown to see Steel Magnolias. If you know me, you know I’m always up for an evening that blends good food, great company, and something that feeds the soul — food, friends, and the arts.
We’ve been proud season ticket holders at Candlelight for three years now, and it never disappoints. One of my favorite things is how they tailor each menu to match the theme of the show. Since Steel Magnolias is set in Louisiana, our plates were full of Southern comfort — shrimp jambalaya, chicken cordon bleu, and my personal favorite: pot roast. As a Midwest girl at heart, that meal hit just right.
But what truly sets Candlelight apart is the heart behind the experience. The servers are also the performers — and watching them shift from table to stage is part of the fun. One minute they’re pouring tea and cracking jokes, and the next they’re stepping into full character, singing and storytelling with such passion and grace. You can feel how much they love what they do — and that joy is contagious.
Magnolia tree display in the theatre lobby, covered in pink blossoms with handwritten
notes — a tribute to strength and softness Pic credit – @raechalfriess
A Tree Full of Messages
In the lobby stood a magnolia tree covered in soft pink blossoms — and tucked inside each bloom was a handwritten note. Names. Blessings. Messages of remembrance or hope. It felt sacred, like each petal was holding space for someone’s story.
Steel Magnolias — strong women, soft hearts. That phrase has always stuck with me, and seeing it reflected in that tree made it even more real.
That paradox lives in so many of the women I know and love — especially in the work I do through What’s Next. I looked across the table at my friend and felt such gratitude for the women who hold me up. For the ones who show me what real strength looks like: not loud or flashy, but faithful. Honest. Rooted in grace… and grit.
The Power of Being Present
Sitting in that theater, I felt myself exhale.
There was laughter. There were tears. There was good food and even better company. But most of all, there was a sense of presence — a reminder that healing often happens in quiet moments when we pause long enough to feel something true.
If you’re local and haven’t been to @CandlelightDinnerPlayhouse — go. You’ll be hooked.
And if you’ve been carrying a lot lately, maybe give yourself a night out. A show. A meal. A magnolia moment.
You deserve that.With love and gratitude,
Raechal 💛🌸