People Light and Theatre Presents: Steel Magnolias

January 28, 2026
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Thanks to the fabulously dynamic women we love as M'Lynn, Truvy, Shelby, Ouiser, Clairee, and Annelle, we will always have great one-liners.

Photography: Mark Garvin Photography

“I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”
→Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts, 1989)

The production of Steel Magnolias, on the Steinbright Stage, is directed by longtime People's Light Company artist and artistic director Emerita Abigail Adams. — The production of Steel Magnolias, on the Steinbright Stage, is directed by longtime People's Light Company artist and artistic director Emerita Abigail Adams

A hilarious and heart wrenching American classic, it has been more than 35 years since the movie Steel Magnolias premiered and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most iconic, female-centric films. It also helped launch the career of Julia Roberts–who was only 21 years young when she filmed the endearing role of Shelby Eatenton. (Shirley McLaine, as Ouiser, was 55 to put it into perspective.) A fun fact: Meg Ryan was initially cast as Shelby, but dropped out to make When Harry Met Sally. She was replaced by Roberts.

The play, by Robert Harling, created a love of sisterhood with female moviegoers, in most part, because the storyline was based on his sister Susan who lost a battle with type 1 diabetes in 1985. In the film, Roberts plays Shelby–the character based on Susan. With a $15 million dollar budget, it grossed $96.8 million at the box office.

Now People’s Light and Theatre has brought this beloved storyline to the region with their first production of 2026. We think the timing is just perfect with Galentine’s and Valentine’s season just around the corner. Since the two weeks since it debuted on the Steinbright Stage January 14th, ticket prices have soared so it has been extended another week through February 22nd. Also a great idea, regardless, with the arctic freeze and harsh winter we are having. Armadillo cake anyone?

People’s Light and Theatre Presents: Steel Magnolias

January 14th–February 22nd (extended due to popular demand!)
By Robert Harling
Directed by Abigail Adams
Steinbright Stage

The reigning ladies of a small Louisiana parish spend Saturday mornings at Truvy Jones’ beauty parlor. With help from aspiring beautician Annelle, Truvy doles out gossip, wisecracks, and hairspray to “grande dame” Miss Clairee, the lovable curmudgeon Ouiser, queen bee M’Lynn, and M’Lynn’s vivacious daughter Shelby. Six unforgettable women command the stage in this hilarious and heart-wrenching masterpiece, starring People’s Light icons Janis Dardaris, Claire Inie-Richards, Teri Lamm, Susan McKey, and Marcia Saunders, under the direction of Abigail Adams.

Tickets, which start at $30, can be purchased here: https://www.peopleslight.org/whats-on/20252026-season/steel-magnolias/