Steel Magnolias

One of the most quotable works of the past 25 years, Steel Magnolias is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.”

Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength-and love-which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Location: TPAC: Andrew Johnson Theater

Dates and Times: Sat, Oct 3 7:30p/ Tue, Oct 6 6:30p/ Wed, Oct 7 6:30p/ Fri, Oct 9 7:30p/ Sat, Oct 10 2:30p/ Sat, Oct 10 7:30p/ Tue, Oct 13 6:30p/ Wed, Oct 14 6:30p/ Thu, Oct 15 6:30p/ Fri, Oct 16 7:30p/ Sat, Oct 17 2:30p/ Sat, Oct 17 7:30p/ Tue, Oct 20 6:30p/ Wed, Oct 21 6:30p/ Thu, Oct 22 6:30p/ Fri, Oct 23 7:30p/ Sat, Oct 24 2:30p/ Sat, Oct 24 7:30p

Ticket Prices: $46.50