Steel Magnolias at Athenaeum Theatre One

Drama

Authors

• Robert Harling

Welcome to 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, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoo and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire; Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby is about to marry a "good ole boy." Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few revealing verbal collisions, the play invokes knowing laughter and certain tears when the spunky Shelby risks her life for a child of her own. The realization of mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love - in these uniquely American women. Elizabeth Harris, Director