Robert Harling News

Have you ever had friends who were more like family? The ones that knew everything about you, loved you anyway and gave you strength when you had none?

Looking into the future, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for October 1, 2018, to help you plot your course through the end of the year...

Based on a true story, Steel Magnolias features six strong, resilient women who bond over love, laughter, and loss. The show was written as a tribute to playwright Robert Harling's sister who passed away due to diabetes complications. The actors respond to events featuring life challenges over three years. Steel Magnolias takes the stage during their 29th year of touring at Popejoy Hall on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 3 p.m. Directed by Brian Kite, the theatrical and film classic is set against the backdrop of the Louisiana Bayou in the 1980s. The performance begins when a group of women meets unexpectedly at Truvy's in-home beauty salon on the day of the Eatenton Wedding. Shelby, the bride, is in dire need of an up-do from Truvy. Although Shelby was cautioned against having children because she has Type 1 diabetes, she is determined to experience motherhood. Following Shelby's decision to have a child, her friends and family stand beside her to support her and her baby on the way. Steel Magnolias opened Off-Broadway in 1987 prior to the launch of a U.S. national tour in 1989. Since then, the show has performed worldwide in the U.K., Ireland, Japan, Poland, and Sweden. The cast includes Inger Tudor (Goliath and The Social Network), Cerris Morgan-Moyer (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Monica McSwain (Red Eye), Patti Yasutake (Star Trek and Grey's Anatomy), Shannon Holt (Judgment at Nuremberg), and Elisa Bocanegra (Gilmore Girls and Undecided). Steel Magnolias is an L.A. Theatre Works production. L.A. Theatre Works was found in 1974 and began audio recording in the 1990s instead of producing conventional theatrical presentations. The company is the leading producer of audio theatre in the United States. L.A. Theatre Works produces modern masterpieces, world classics, original and contemporary works with an emphasis in cultural, historical, and social issues.

Fountain Hills Theater presents the heartwarming comedy, Steel Magnolias, Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Fountain Hills Theater Mainstage, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ.

Florida Repertory Theatre presents "Steel Magnolias" by Robert Harling, a heartwarming comedy about the power of friendship to kick off the 2018-2019 Season in the Historic Arcade Theatre.

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of "Becoming Dr. Ruth," a moving and humorous new biographical comedy to kick off its 2018-2019 Season. Playing September 21 to October 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre, the run includes four nearly sold out preview performances September 18-20 and stars Broadway and regional theatre veteran, Susan Greenhill, and welcomes back director and longtime Florida Rep ensemble member, Chris Clavelli.

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of "Becoming Dr. Ruth," a moving and humorous new biographical comedy to kick off its 2018-2019 Season. Playing September 21 to October 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre, the run includes four nearly sold out preview performances September 18-20 and stars Broadway and regional theatre veteran, Susan Greenhill, and welcomes back director and longtime Florida Rep ensemble member, Chris Clavelli.

Beginning Oct. 12,L.A. Theatre Works will bring its signature radio-theater hybrid style to 29 venues across the U.S. as part of the company's 15th annual national tour. Steel Magnolias, a funny, heartbreaking story of female empowerment and resilience by Robert Harling, is directed byBrian Kite and features acompany of six diverse women including Shannon Holt, Elisa Bocanegra,Monica McSwain, Inger Tudor, Cerris Morgan-Moyer and Patti Yasutake.

Avon Players kicks off its 2018-2019 season with a celebration of the strength of female friendship in a play that is equal parts hilarious and touching, Steel Magnolias running September 7-22.

L.A. Theatre Works has announced its 2018-19 season of seven plays, each to be recorded in front of a live audience for future radio broadcast and online distribution. All performances take place at the James Bridges Theater, located on the campus of UCLA in West Los Angeles. In addition, the company will introduce audiences to its signature style of radio theater at venues across the country during its 15th national tour.

Redhouse will kick off its season with Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, which runs from September 20-30, 2018 at its theater complex at City Center.

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of "Becoming Dr. Ruth," a moving and humorous new biographical comedy to kick off its 2018-2019 Season. Playing September 21 to October 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre, the run includes four nearly sold out preview performances September 18-20 and stars Broadway and regional theatre veteran, Susan Greenhill, and welcomes back director and longtime Florida Rep ensemble member, Chris Clavelli.

Artistic Director Rick Dildine and Executive Director Todd Schmidt have announced their inaugural New Festival Season at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which features 14 extraordinary productions, with a full six weeks of spring repertory along with unexpected theatrical experiences in found spaces.

Kicking off Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's 2018/19 season is a colorful appointment with the Steel Magnolias of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana…a community unlike any other, where humor and heart go hand in hand.

My heart is full for many reasons, not the least of which is that I can say, henceforth, that the last production of Steel Magnolias that I reviewed - this one at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson through Saturday, September 1 - was almost as good as that very first production I saw in Chicago in the summer of 1988. In fact, direct Donna Driver and her cast deliver a reading of Steel Magnolias that is as close to what Robert Harling wrote more than 30 years ago as any I've ever seen.

There's probably no title in the contemporary theater repertoire guaranteed to spark more debate than Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias. Particularly among southern companies, Harling's story of six women who gather every Saturday morning in a small-town Louisiana beauty shop has legions of fans who clamor for more revivals of the oft-produced comedy-drama - yet there are just as many detractors who decry its seeming omnipresence among season's offerings from far too many organizations.

Avon Players kicks off its 2018-2019 season with a celebration of the strength of female friendship in a play that is equal parts hilarious and touching, Steel Magnolias running September 7-22.

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce directors for its 2018-2019 Season and complete casting for five of its upcoming productions. The theatre's 21st season is set to open to previews Sept. 18 with the moving, one-woman comedy, Becoming Dr. Ruth, which kicks off a nine-show season in the theatre's two venues.

Single tickets to Florida Repertory Theatre's 2018-2019 Season will go on sale Tuesday, July 17 online at www.FloridaRep.org and through the box office at 239-332-4488. Tickets are priced at $55 and $45 for regular performances, and $35 and $25 for previews.

The historic Cape Playhouse's 92nd season kicks off with Robert Harling's poignant Steel Magnolias. Starring Judy Kuhn, Mary Testa, and Amy Bodnar, and directed by Pamela Hunt, Steel Magnolias plays through 23. Check out photos from the production below!