​Steel Magnolias is a poignant and humorous play written by Robert Harling, inspired by the life and untimely death of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who succumbed to complications from type 1 diabetes in 1985. Harling penned the play in just ten days as a means to cope with his grief and to honor his sister’s memory.

Overview

• Title: Steel Magnolias

• Playwright: Robert Harling

• Premiere: 1987 at the WPA Theatre, New York City

• Setting: Truvy’s Beauty Spot in Chinquapin, Louisiana

• Genre: Drama/Comedy

• Cast: Six female characters​

The narrative unfolds entirely within Truvy’s beauty salon, serving as a communal haven for six Southern women. Over three years, the play delves into their lives, highlighting themes of friendship, love, and loss. Central to the story is Shelby, a young woman with type 1 diabetes, who chooses to have a child despite medical warnings, leading to tragic consequences.