Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling

Name: Steel Magnolias
Brand: Robert Harling
SKU: 9780822210788
Rating: 4.27 (17711 reviews)

Broadway Off-Broadway West End

Steel Magnolias Book Cover — Steel Magnolias Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

120 mins Present Day All Women Ensemble Cast Interior Set Period Costumes American Comedy

What readers are saying

Readers love the emotional depth and humor of this play, praising its rich portrayal of Southern women's friendships and struggles. Many find it beautifully written with relatable characters, making it a timeless favorite that resonates with audiences. Despite some mild criticisms regarding certain plot elements, the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting its blend of laughter and tears.

Emotional and humorous Timeless and relatable Rich character portrayals Beautifully written script Some find it a bit cheesy

Synopsis

THE STORY: 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), th

Press Reviews

"Watching Steel Magnolias should be a little like being a child under the kitchen table, eavesdropping on the voices that come and go. In this warm, private, women-only space, everything that goes on in a small town in the southern US is talked over – no subject is taboo. Sometimes the voices sink to a consolatory murmur, sometimes they leap up in a raucous joke, sometimes they rattle mockingly back and forth; sometimes fear or anger are allowed to flare, before they are defused by a sardonic comment."
— Time & Leisure

"A genuine warmth is generated by the ensemble, as each actor navigates Harling’s rich, heavily textured, immensely quotable script."
— The Stage

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
TRUVY JONES 40ish. Owner of the beauty shop.	—	40ish	40ish. Owner of the beauty shop.
ANNELLE DUPUY-DESOTO 19. Beauty shop assistant.	—	19	19. Beauty shop assistant.
CLAIREE BELCHER 66ish. Widow of former mayor. Grande dame.	—	—	66ish. Widow of former mayor. Grande dame.
SHELBY EATENTON-LATCHERIE 25. Prettiest girl in town.	female	25	25. Prettiest girl in town.
M’LYNN EATENTON 50ish. Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman.	female	50ish	50ish. Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman.
OUISER (pronounced “Weezer”)	—	—	(pronounced “Weezer”)
BOUDREAUX 66ish. Wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but lovable.	—	—	66ish. Wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but lovable.