My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Steel Magnolias

Closing: February 25, 1990

Steel Magnolias - 1987 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Music Box Theatre (Broadway)
239 West 45th St. New York, NY

The action 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.


Get Steel Magnolias Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS To Be Presented At Arkansas Repertory Theatre This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026


The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will present STEEL MAGNOLIAS by Robert Harling as the first production in its 2026 Golden SummerStage season, with tickets ranging from $25–$70.

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Theatre 29
by Charlie Thomas - May 14, 2026


“Steel Magnolias”, author Robert Harling’s 1987 stage play, became a cultural zeitgeist after the release of the 1989 film version starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah.

People's Light Opens 2026 With STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 18, 2025


People's Light kicks off the new year with Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias, playing January 14 - February 15, 2026 on the Steinbright Stage. Directed by longtime Company Artist and Artistic Director Emerita Abigail Adams.

Peninsula Players to Host Pre-Show Seminar with Jennalee Lundquist in Conjunction with STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2025


Peninsula Players Theatre will host a free pre-show seminar with Jennalee Lundquist, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions at Door County Medical Center, on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30 p.m.

Charlotte d'Amboise, Amy Spanger and More to Star in STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Bell Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2025


A beloved celebration of friendship and community, Steel Magnolias has become an American cultural classic on stage and screen. Robert Harling’s original play comes to Bell Theater at Bell Works this summer with a starry cast of Broadway icons. Learn more!

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Connecticut Theatre Company
by Jared Reynolds - Mar 15, 2025


Steel Magnolias at the Connecticut Theater Company runs from March 14 – 23, with performance on Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. Check here for the review.

Creative Cauldron Celebrates Theater Grand Opening With STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2025


In February, Creative Cauldron will open its brand-new theater and new home in the Broad and Washington project with the production of Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling. 

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Manor Club Theatre Is No Shrinking Violet
by Bruce Apar - Oct 19, 2024


For this perennially popular, bittersweet stage piece, plot really isn’t the point any more than it is on the daytime TV soaps.  It’s all about relationships

STEEL MAGNOLIAS to be Presented At MCCC's Kelsey Theatre in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2024


The Yardley Players will present STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College. Experience the humor and heart of a close-knit group of southern women in Truvy's beauty salon. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at STAGES St. Louis is as Beautiful as a Louisiana Magnolia Tree in Full Bloom
by James Lindhorst - Jun 6, 2024


For the second year in a row, STAGES St. Louis knocks it out of the park with a non-musical offering. STEEL MAGNOLIAS is a laugh out loud comedy-drama about sisterhood and how friends overcome fear, uncertainty, sadness, and profound grief. Price’s directorial vision, the casts’ exceptional performances, and the ravishing work of the technical team make this production as beautiful as a Louisiana magnolia tree in full June bloom.  

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Theatre Memphis
by Kevin Shaw - Apr 30, 2024


What’s up with all these therapists’ offices masquerading as beauty parlors? Women walk into these places as broken shells of themselves and often walk out feeling on top of the world. Sure, they get their hair and/or nails done, but they get so much more than just that. They’re renewed.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comes to Steel Beam Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2024


Steel Beam Theatre will present the heartwarming comedy-drama, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. Directed by Pat Henderson, this production promises a delightful evening of laughter, tears, and Southern charm.

Steel Beam Theatre Announces Cast For STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 8, 2024


Discover the newly announced cast for the Steel Beam Theatre's Chicagoland production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Niantic Bay Playhouse to Present STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2023


Don't miss the revival of the beloved theater play 'Steel Magnolias' at Niantic Bay Playhouse in Niantic, CT. Experience the timeless story of friendship, resilience, and love from October 20th to November 4th. Get your tickets now!

Palm Canyon Theatre Brings To Its Stage A Little Southern Comfort With STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by David Green - Sep 26, 2023


Palm Canyon Theatre presents the heartfelt Southern Classic Steel Magnolias. The 1987 play, which became a hit movie in 1989, takes audiences into the lives of the strong and endearing women who frequent Truvy’s Salon for hairdos, laughter and sage advice. Like many small close-knit communities, Chinquapin, Louisiana includes an entertaining cast of characters such as a town curmudgeon, an eccentric millionaire and a local social leader. A sudden realization of their mortality affects each of them, as they discover their underlying love for one another in this touching comedy.

Center Players Presents STEEL MAGNOLIAS This Fall
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 20, 2023


Center Players will begin its 2023-24 season with a Signature Series production of the enduringly popular Steel Magnolias. The comedic drama will run weekends October 13-Nov. 5 at Center Playhouse at 35 South Street in downtown Freehold, NJ.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens September 21 At Westwego Cultural Center
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2023


Jefferson Performing Arts Society kicks off its Westbank 46th season stage productions with Steel Magnolias this month at the Westwego Cultural Center on Sala Avenue in Westwego.

BWW Q&A: Director Trevor Southworth On Stephen King's MISERY at the Athens Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Sep 13, 2023


Stephen King's 'Misery' will take the Stage at the Athens Theatre beginning September 22nd. We sat down with director Trevor Southworth to talk about bringing the show to life on stage.

Unveiling the Terror: Stephen King's MISERY Takes the Stage at the Athens Theatre! 
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 30, 2023


In the realm of modern horror literature, few names are as synonymous with fear and suspense as Stephen King. With a vast array of chilling stories that have captivated readers for decades, one of his most iconic and spine-tingling tales is Misery.  Now, fans and theater enthusiasts alike are about to embark on a heart-pounding journey as this gripping novel finds new life on the stage of the historic Athens Theatre from September 22nd to October 15th. 

Unveiling the Terror: Stephen King's MISERY Takes the Stage at the Athens Theatre
by Team BWW - Aug 30, 2023


In the realm of modern horror literature, few names are as synonymous with fear and suspense as Stephen King. With a vast array of chilling stories that have captivated readers for decades, one of his most iconic and spine-tingling tales is Misery.

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at MTH Theatre
by Steve Wilson - May 14, 2023


Padgett Productions, best known for ROCKY HORROR and EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL, has stepped from its usual genres to inspire Kansas City audiences with the comedy-drama STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and Kansas City should be glad it has. What a fantastic show to bring to the main stage of MTH Theatre at Crown Center. STEEL MAGNOLIAS is a limited run through May 21.

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Osceola Arts
by Joseph Harrison - May 1, 2023


'Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion', states southern sage and beauty shop owner Truvy Jones in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. No line of dialogue describes so well the audience's experience while viewing this hilarious and touching play. And in Osceola Arts’ latest production of the Robert Harling classic the laughs (and tears) are plenty – orchestrated by six talented actors embodying these old friends from Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comes To Osceola Arts This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2023


Osceola Arts is thrilled to bring Steel Magnolias back to the stage. Beginning Friday, April 21st and running through Sunday, May 7th, the Osceola Arts Main stage will host this classic play, written by Robert Harling.

TheatreWorks Stages New Look At STEEL MAGNOLIAS This Summer
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2023


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents a new look at the cherished comic drama Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling. A tight-knit group of Southern women flock to Truvy's beauty parlor, where its occupants dish gossip, do hair, and provide strength and support through life's joys and tragedies.

The Garden Theatre Presents STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Stephi Wild - Mar 16, 2023


The Garden Theatre, one of Houston's newest theatre companies, has announced its plans to bring Robert Harling's beloved play, Steel Magnolias, to life at MATCH. Featuring the well-known story of family and resilience, the production will run April 21-30, 2023 at Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (3400 Main St.) in the heart of midtown.

Steel Magnolias History

Other Productions of Steel Magnolias

1987   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59