Directed by Jenny Sullivan, the production runs through Sept. 18 and features Tony Award nominee Bonnie Franklin (Applause) as Ouiser, Clarinda Ross as Truvy, Von Rae Wood as Clairee, Stephanie Zimbalist as M'Lynn, Amy Handelman as Shelby and Angela Goethals.

Steel Magnolias is a real-life inspired drama that has run both on and Off-Broadway, played London’s West End, and was made into a feature film starring Julia Roberts.

According to press notes, "This heartwarming true story follows a group of friends who gather each week at a salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where Truvy dispenses shampoo and advice to Ouiser, the town curmudgeon ('I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years'); Miss Clairee, an eccentric millionaire with a sweet tooth; and M’Lynn, whose daughter Shelby is about to get married. Tough as steel and fragile as the blossoms of magnolia trees, these hilarious characters gossip, tease, laugh, fight, cajole, and comfort each other as they go through life’s big joys and challenges."

The creative team includes scenic and lighting designer Thomas S. Giamario, prop designer and set dresser T. Theresa Scarano, costume designer Pamela Shaw, hair and makeup designer Marty Kopulsky, dialect coach Rod Menzies and sound designer Kenneth Hobbs. Kathleen J. Parsons and Tobias Peltier are the production stage managers.

The Rubicon Theatre is located at 1006 E. Main Street. For more information and tickets, call (805) 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.