Production History

Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias opened Season 8 (1991–1992) at 400 W. Main Street. Set in Truvy’s beauty salon in fictional Chinquapin, Louisiana, the play follows six women whose regular appointments become occasions for gossip, arguments, celebration, and mutual support. Shelby’s marriage and determination to become a mother bring particular challenges for her protective mother, M’Lynn. Humor and friendship sustain the women through loss.

CST Connections

Rhonda Clark directed the previous season’s opener, Nebraska (1990). She continued with Rumors (1992) and Prelude to a Kiss (1993), making four consecutive fall openers.
Doobie Potter also contributed fight choreography to True West (1991). She later directed productions including Out of Order (1998), St. Scarlet (2007), and Sheepdog (2024).
Julia Self later played Rita in Prelude to a Kiss (1993), also directed by Clark.
Regina Brinlee appeared in the ensemble of Prelude to a Kiss.
Richard Charnay and Skip Bachman returned as lighting designer and technical director for Rumors (1992).
Jim Osterlund designed and built the set for CST’s 1990 production of Six Women with Brain Death.

Press and Photography

“‘Magnolias’ to Open Season” — The Oklahoman, March 22, 1991, advance season announcement.
“‘Steel Magnolias’ to Play at Carpenter Square” — The Oklahoman, September 6, 1991, opening-day coverage.
“All-Star Cast Shines in Carpenter Square Production” — The Oklahoman, September 13, 1991, attributed to Franci Hart in the supplied archival notes.

Licensing

Current performance licensing is available through Concord Theatricals, which identifies Steel Magnolias as a Dramatists Play Service title by Robert Harling.

THEATRE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Ron Roberts