In partnership with Dallas Theater Center
Steel Magnolias is beloved by audiences as an acclaimed play that became an iconic movie; it’s also a hilarious, heartwarming portrait of the strength and beauty of female friendship. Every Southern woman knows there are few institutions on earth more important than the town beauty parlor. At Truvy Jones’ salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, neighborhood women gather to swap stories, share gossip, and, of course, style their hair. But when tragedy strikes, the community comes together in a bond more powerful than ten coats of hairspray.
At this event, Kevin Moriarty (Artistic Director, Dallas Theater Center) will moderate a conversation with playwright Robert Harling and Joel Ferrell (Associate Artistic Director and director of DTC’s production of Steel Magnolias), highlighting themes, memorable characters, and their insights into the creative process. Harling will share his personal family history and how that led him to write the play more than 30 years ago, how his family and friends responded to seeing themselves onstage as characters, how the play then became a movie, and how that led to an extensive career as a film writer and director.
Enjoy a sneak peek of actors performing brief excerpts from the play before it opens to the public.