A Closer Look Compiled and assembled by Megan Hanks

Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look 1

Presented by the Steel Commonweal Theatre Company June 23 - October 23, 2017 Magnolias Essentials The Plot (Spoiler Alert!) Act I, Scene 1: On a Saturday morning in on her weakened body. She appears to accept Truvy’s in-home hair salon in Chinquapin this fate and says that she and her soon-to- Parish, northwestern Louisiana, Truvy eval- be husband, Jackson, are perfectly happy to uates newcomer Annelle’s salon skills using adopt. herself as guinea pig. Annelle passes and Scene 2: Shortly before Christmas that Truvy hires her on the spot, despite the young same year, Shelby has returned home for the woman’s cagey responses to queries about her holidays. She announces, first privately to living situation and her background. her mother, then to the others, that she is Soon the day’s customers arrive, including pregnant. M’Lynn is shocked and dismayed neighbor and regular M’Lynn and her daugh- but realizes she must accept her strong-willed ter, Shelby (who, though not a daughter’s choice. The ladies are regular customer at Truvy’s, is delighted at the news. Annelle having her hair done up specially has straightened out her life and because it is her wedding day); is living in Truvy’s guest house. Clairee, a mature widow with She has connected with a church a wicked sense of humor; and, and is becoming very religious, finally, Ouiser, an older woman and she has found a beau, whom who seems to be perpetually in a she met at Shelby’s wedding. bad mood. Act II, Scene 1: Shelby is now Conversation centers on the mother to a boy who, though wedding, the bride, the groom born prematurely, is doing and hair, clothing and colors. well and is so full of energy he At the goading of all the ladies, runs her ragged. Shelby and Annelle reluctantly reveals the M’Lynn—too casually for the story of her husband (if he really A magazine prop created for the show ladies’ taste—reveal that Shelby’s is, in fact, such) absconding with kidneys have failed, she is now their car and household possessions, leaving on dialysis, and that M’Lynn will donate one her penniless and alone. She is now living at of her kidneys to her daughter. The surgery a boarding house across the river. Truvy and is set for the next day. The ladies are shocked the ladies offer sympthay, help and advice and at the apparent secrecy, but all are supportive eventually Annelle begins to feel at home. and circle the wagons to prepare for the event. Shelby, a diabetic, suffers a blood sugar Scene 2: A year later, Shelby has died after crash and becomes momentarily unrespon- complications following the unsuccessful sive. The women (except Annelle) are familiar transplant. The ladies are heartbroken but with her situation and rush to her aid, and she find that, in one another’s love and support, soon recovers. Discussion reveals that Shelby life goes on. Now married and pregnant, has been advised by her doctors against hav- Annelle reveals that she plans to name her ing children as it would put too much strain child Shelby, to everyone’s delight. 2 Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look About the Playwright Robert Harling was born in 1951 in san, in 1985 due to diabetes, Harling wrote a Dothan, Alabama, one of three children of short story and adapted it into the play Steel Robert M. Harling, Jr., and Margaret Jones Magnolias, which was produced off-Broad- Harling. He graduated from Northwestern way in 1987 to great acclaim and was subse- State University in his hometown and ob- quently translated into seventeen languages. tained a law degree from Tulane University Harling also wrote the screenplay for the Law School in New Orleans. While in law 1989 film version, starring Sally Field and Ju- school, he sang in a band which performed in lia Roberts. He played a small role in the film New Orleans on weekends. as a minister. (For more, please see page 9.) However, Harling never used his law de- Harling went on to write more screen- gree: skipping the bar exam, he instead moved plays: Soapdish (1991), The First Wives Club to New York City to become an actor, audi- (1996), and Laws of Attraction (2004); he tioning for bit parts in plays and television also worked as an uncredited script doctor commercials, and working as a ticket seller on a number of films. Harling also wrote and for Broadway shows. directed the sequel to Terms of Endearment After the death of his younger sister, Su- titled The Evening Star (1996). Susan Harling Robinson Much more than just a fond memento an audience we are simultaneously guided of a time and a place for playwright Robert and reassured with them by the strength and Harling, Steel Magnolias also serves as a trib- grace that the other characters display in such ute to his sister. The character Shelby bears moments. a heartbreaking correlation to Harling’s own None of the characters in this play are flat sister, Susan Harling Robinson. At the age of or archetypal. Each is unique, with quirks and 32, Susan passed away from complications unexpected moments. We see these women of diabetes after a kidney transplant failed in choose their own styles and hairdos, and in- October, 1985. dividually claim their favorite sectors of ’80s Susan was a pediatric nurse who, like pop culture. We see them struggle with and Shelby, went against her doctor’s advice and accept gender roles and social hierarchies of bore a son, which ultimately led to her kidney the time. And most importantly, we see them failure. In an interview with People magazine, recognize one another’s struggles as being a Harling is quoted saying that Susan was “the part of their own lives, carefully and honestly. fixer of the family,” and that her death hit It is for this reason that Steel Magnolias con- them all extremely hard. Shaken and unsure tinues to resonate with audiences and readers of how to cope with his sister’s passing, six around the world as a timeless story. We feel months after her death Harling sat down and that these women are real people with real wrote the play in about ten days. lives and families, doubts and dreams, mis- It seems that, to Harling, the most im- takes and victories—like us. portant step in creating Steel Magnolias was Most of my work will be character motivat- constructing his characters with transparency ed… Just people living life and getting through and full identities, and to use honest storytell- it, like they do where I come from. I have a real ing. The characters collectively embody an un- sense of responsibility about that. Through my breakable bond of support and friendship that sister’s story, I’ve been given the chance to give is almost effortlessly maintained. Whether or back, to say thank you. … Even in the darkest not everyone’s moods are happy or match- hours there’s stuff that makes you giggle. That’s ing, there remains a constant sense of unity what my sister would like more than anything— to know that we were able to laugh. that is familiar and warming. When certain characters are confronted with darkness, as —Robert Harling Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look 3 Context – The 1980s Politics — The Regan Era From Hollywood history of psychiatric problems, outside of star to Governor of a hotel in Washington, D.C. The gunman’s California to PO- bullet pierced one of the president’s lungs TUS—Ronald Rea- and narrowly missed his heart. Weeks later gan’s political life Reagan was back at work. That same year, and presidency are Reagan made history by appointing Sandra still controversial and Day O’Connor as the first woman to the U.S. echoing today. In his Supreme Court. younger years, Rea- In Novem- gan was a member of ber 1984, the Democratic Party Reagan was and campaigned for reelected by a President Ronald Reagan, 1981 Democratic candi- landslide, de- dates; but his views grew more conservative feating Walter over time, and in the early 1960s he officially Mondale and became a Republican. his running After making unsuccessful bids for the mate Geraldine Republican presidential nomination in 1968 Ferraro, the and 1976, Reagan received the party’s nod first female Walter Mondale & Geraldine Ferraro in 1980. In that year’s general election, he vice-presidential candidate from a major U. S. and running mate George H. W. Bush faced political party. Reagan, who announced it was off against President Jimmy Carter and Vice “morning again in America,” carried 49 out of President Walter Mondale. Reagan won the 50 states in the election and received 525 out election by an electoral margin of 489-49 with of 538 electoral votes, the largest number ever almost 51% of the popular vote. At age 69, won by an American presidential candidate. he was then the oldest person to be elected to After the more informal Carter years, the U.S. Presidency. Reagan and his wife, Nancy, ushered in a new In his inaugural address, Reagan famous- era of glamour in the nation’s capital, which ly said of America’s then-troubled economy, became known as Hollywood on the Poto- “In this present crisis, government is not the mac. The First Lady wore designer fashions, solution to our problems; government is the hosted numerous state dinners and oversaw problem.” Just two months later, on March a major redecoration of the White House. 30, 1981, he survived an assassination at- Many Americans thought of the 1980s as the tempt by John Hinckley Jr., a man with a time of the “yuppie”. Politics — Reaganomics Reagan’s time in office is forever book- since disagreed over the achievements of Rea- marked by his domestic agenda. On this ganomics. Although the majority of the 1980s front, Reagan implemented policies to re- economy was stabilized and showed much duce the federal government’s reach into the growth compared previous decades, tax cuts daily lives and pocketbooks of Americans, plus increased military spending would cost including tax cuts intended to spur growth the federal government trillions of dollars. (known as Reaganomics). He also advocated Reagan advocated paying for these expenses for increases in military spending, reductions by slashing government programs. In the end, in certain social programs and measures to Congress approved his tax and defense plans, deregulate business. Economists have long but refused to make any deep cuts to the wel-  4 Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look fare state. Even Reagan himself was squea- – the highest it had ever been. The President mish about attacking popular programs like and conservatives in Congress cried for a Social Security and Medicare, which consume balanced budget amendment, but neither the largest percentages of taxpayer dollars. branch had the discipline to propose or enact The results were massive deficits. a balanced budget. The growth that Ameri- The national debt tripled from one to cans enjoyed during the 1980s came at a huge three trillion dollars during the Reagan years price for the generations to follow. The War on Drugs Continues Reagan’s presidency marked the start of a long period of skyrocketing incarceration rates (which continued into the Clinton years), thanks largely to his unprecedented expansion of the War on Drugs (a term coined by Nix- on). The number of people behind bars for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997. Public concern about illicit drug use grew throughout the 1980s, largely due to media portrayals of people addicted to the new smokeable form of cocaine dubbed “crack.” Soon after Reagan took office in 1981, his wife, Nancy, began a highly publicized anti- cation program, which was quickly adopted drug campaign, coining the slogan, “Just Say nationwide despite the lack of evidence of its No.” This set the stage for the zero-tolerance effectiveness. policies implemented in the mid-to-late 1980s. The increasingly harsh drug policies also Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates, who blocked the expansion of syringe access pro- said that “casual drug users should be taken grams and other harm-reduction policies to out and shot,” founded the DARE drug edu- reduce the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. The Cold War Reagan’s first term in office was marked (later reversed) of Reagan’s national security by a massive buildup of U.S. weapons adviser John Poindexter and Marine Lt. Col. and troops, and an escalation of the Cold Oliver North. War with the Soviet Union, which he dubbed During his second term, Reagan forged a “the evil empire.” Under the Reagan Doctrine diplomatic relationship with the reform-mind- America supported anticommunist move- ed Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet ments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. His Union. In 1987, the Americans and Soviets administration was eager to provide financial signed a historic agreement to eliminate  and military aid to anticommunist govern- ments and insurgencies globally. A massive arms race with the Soviet Union ensued, continuing to increase America’s debt. In November 1986, it emerged that the White House had secretly sold arms to Iran in an effort to win the freedom of U.S. hostages in Lebanon, and then diverted mon- ey from the sales to Nicaraguan rebels known as the Contras. The Iran-Contra Affair, as it became known, resulted in the conviction The fall of the Berlin Wall Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look 5 intermediate-range nuclear missiles. That leaving the White House, Reagan returned same year, Reagan spoke at Germany’s Berlin to Germany in September, 1990—just weeks Wall, a symbol of communism, and famously before the official reunification of Germa- challenged Gorbachev to tear it down. Twen- ny—and took several symbolic swings with a ty-nine months later, Gorbachev allowed the hammer at a remaining chunk of the wall. people of Berlin to dismantle the wall. After Pop Culture — Blockbusters & Big Hair Bands At the movie the- ater, the 1980s was the age of the blockbuster. Movies like E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Return of the Jedi, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ghostbusters and Beverly Hills Cop appealed to moviego- ers of all ages and made hundreds of millions of their best to copy the hairstyles and fashions dollars at the box office. The 1980s was also they saw in music videos. In this way, artists the heyday of the teen movie. Films like The like Madonna, Prince and David Bowie be- Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful and came (and remain) fashion icons. Pretty in Pink are still popular today. As the decade wore on, MTV also became At home, people watched family sitcoms a forum for those who went against the grain like The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Full House or were left out and Married With Children. The Bruce Willis/ of the yuppie ideal. Rap artists such as Public Cybill Shepherd private detective agency Enemy channeled the frustration of urban Af- duo show Moonlighting premiered in 1985. rican Americans into their powerful album It People also rented movies to watch on their Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. new VCRs, and a whole industry of VHS tape Other songs that still ring out as life anthems rentals and sales was born and thrived. come from this decade: Journey’s “Don’t Stop By the end Believing,” “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, of the 1980s, and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor—to name 60% of Amer- only a few. ican television Heavy metal acts such as Metallica and owners got Guns ’n’ Roses also captured a sense of mal- cable service. aise among young people, particularly young Arguably the men. Much music of the 1980s stoked a “reb- most revolu- el youth” spirit, which shone through the big tionary cable hair bands of the day such as Bon Jovi, Van network of all Halen, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe. Even as was MTV, which made its debut on August 1, Reagan maintained his popularity, pop culture 1981. The music videos the network played continued to be an arena for dissatisfaction made stars out of bands like Duran Duran and debate throughout the 1980s, as shown and Culture Club, and made megastars out of in the huge popularity of Twisted Sister’s song artists like Michael Jackson, whose elaborate lyric: Thriller video helped sell 600,000 albums in We’re not gonna take it the five days after its first broadcast. No, we ain’t gonna take it MTV also influenced fashion: people Oh, we’re not gonna take it anymore! across the country (and around the world) did 6 Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look Fashion & Fun The term “too ever arose, the answer was always: Yes, more much” simply hairspray. didn’t exist And for the younger generation that in the 80s. wasn’t swimming in hairspray fumes or The hair was buying their own cassette tapes just yet, there almost as big were plenty of great, classic toys to keep as the Ham- busy with. Although not all these toys were mer pants, actually invented in the 1980s, many found and it was all their peak then, such as Rubik’s Cube, Trans- about bright formers, G.I. Joe action figures, and cap guns. colors and Another 80s toy phenomenon, Cabbage Patch flashy pat- Kids, had little kids giggling across the coun- terns. Wheth- try. My Little Pony exploded on the scene in er it was a 1982, quickly followed by Care Bears, and wild baggy then Polly Pocket. And in 1989, perhaps windbreaker, one of the most influential toys of all time or a skin-tight was invented: the Gameboy Nintendo. The Can’t touch this…until 1990. neon uni- Gameboy created the face of portable gaming tard—leg warmers, scrunchies, and enormous devices, and is still extremely popular today. shoulder pads could accentuate any outfit. Collectors everywhere are still itching to get High-waist denims and big, gaudy jewelry their hands on the original Gameboy Ninten- were all the rage. The 80s marked an era of do. High-waist pants may come and go every individuality: style with a statement. Mullets twenty years or so, but the Gameboy definite- and mile-high stilettos filled the clubs and ly proves that some things truly never go out concert halls. Both genders rocked crop-tops of style. and huge, teased hairdos—and if the question Design of the Times There were some great cars and some not-so- whites be- great cars out on the road back then. Regard- came the new less of how those old models might look to us favored paint now, one thing is certain: angular, low-riding schemes: sedans were the big thing. People loved boxy think Miami Beemers, pointy Caddies, and square cabs Vice pastels with rectangular windows and geometric (the TV show bodies. Every now and then, a real high roller debuted in could be spotted stepping out of his gull-wing 1984). With You should see the pastel colors in the original De Lorean, or his Corevette “305” Califor- furniture and nia. For fast and sporty types, Firebirds and decoration, some went for the preppy blue- Camaros were still popular. The energy crisis and-white pinstripe, some for a Zen Japanese of the 70s was fading from view—and from style and others for “shabby chic”—faux-dis- design—in the properous 80s. tressed or antiqued finishes or driftwood/ As for interior design, homeowners of the beach styles that are still very common décor 1980s began to move away from the brown themes. Overall, 1980s home design took on flower wallpaper and mustard-yellow 70s. a much more open, modern concept. Like cars Instead, home design became much more of the day, parallel lines and geometric shapes “clean” and stripped itself of busy wallpapers were very trendy. and couch patterns. Soft colors and clean Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look 7 Context – Imaginary Places, Real Life Relevance A City by Association Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana, is the fictional setting for the play. Robert Harling Map of Louisiana, highlighting based the small town in the play on his own Natchitoches Parish and the city home town of Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tush), of Natchitoches Louisiana, which is also where the movie version of the story was filmed in 1989. It is thought that Harling’s inspiration for the name of the fictional parish spawns from the Chinquapin tree, which is native to the region. This species of tree produces small nuts occa- sionally referred to as “dwarf chestnuts.” The only other real-life example of Chinquapin in Natchitoches is a county road that stretches between two highways: Chinquapin Drive. 16,600 people in Natchitoches, and now there The city of Natchitoches, in Natchitoches Par- about 18,385. ish, was established in 1714, and is the oldest For our production, we assume that permanent settlement from the Louisiana Chinquapin is “located” where Natchitoches Purchase. During the 80s there were about actually is, in Northwest Louisiana. The Deep South The states of the Deep South are notori- ous for their warm, humid climates. Winters are mild, and the summers get very hot and sticky. Air conditioning and lots of water are necessary for “keeping your cool.” The warm weather, abundant rainfall and rich, moist soil, makes Louisiana a hub for farming and agriculture. The main crops produced in Natchitoches are cotton, pecans, corn, rice and soybeans. Lakes and waterbod- ies are littered with crawfish, and there are cattle farms at the end of every road. Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras The region is also known for social and Of course, one cannot mention the Deep political conservatism, with longstanding South without mentioning the lights, beads, and devout religious associations. There are costumes, alcohol, music, food and the all- hundreds of beautiful, historic churches and around party that is New Orleans. That city houses of worship sprinkled across the South- has long held the title Jazz Capital of Amer- ern states. As in much of the Deep South, ica, but the rich Mardi Gras tradition and there is a large following of the Southern Bap- celebratory culture does not stop at the New tist Convention in Natchitoches. As of 2015, Orleans city limits. 55% of the Natchitoches population identifies Since 1926, Natchitoches has celebrat- as members of this church. According to that ed the Christmas spirit with their six-week same poll, the Catholic Church represents Christmas Festival called “The City of 24% of Natchitoches’s population, the United Lights,” which includes fireworks, parades, Methodist Church 11%, with the last 10% elaborate light displays, food booths, carolers falings under the “Other” category. and a beauty pageant.  8 Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look

Some other festivals include: The Krewe Festival, Robeline Heritage Festival and the of Dionysus Mardi Gras Parade, Bloomin’ On Haunted History Tour. the Bricks, Jazz and R&B Festival, Melrose A sense of celebration for art, music, food Arts and Crafts Festival, Cookin’ on the Cane and culture is extremely prominent within BBQ Competition and Festival, Celebration Southern creeds and lifestyles. This old area of on the Cane, NSU Folk Festival, Cane River the country truly has a special sense of com- Zydeco Festival, Drake Salt Work Festival, munity and festivity that roots it to its origins. Meat Pie Festival, Marthaville Good Ole Days Diabetes Diabetes Mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affects the body’s ability to Diabetes Types Compared metabolize glucose or blood sugar. A diabetic Type 1 Type 2 may have too much or too little glucose in “Juvenile-onset” or “Adult-onset” or non- the blood, which can lead to various health insulin-dependent insulin-dependent problems. It is a very serious disease that, if left untreated, can lead to blindness, kidney Symptoms usually start The person may not have failure, loss of legs (from amputation neces- in childhood or young symptoms before diagno- sitated by complications of untreated injuries adulthood. People often sis. Usually the disease is seek medical help be- discovered in adulthood, due to loss of nervous sensation in the legs) cause they are seriously ill but an increasing number and death. from sudden symptoms of of children are being diag- Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the high (or low) blood sugar. nosed with the disease. sufferer’s inability to produce sufficient (if Episodes of low blood No episodes of low blood any) insulin, the master hormone of metab- sugar level (hypoglyce- sugar level, unless the olism. Sufferers require replacement insulin. mia) are common. person is taking insulin or Shelby is a Type 1 diabetic. With Type 2 dia- certain diabetes medicines. betes (a.k.a. “adult onset”), the body cannot Cannot be prevented. Can be prevented or use its insulin correctly (“insulin resistance”). Sufferers require replace- delayed with a healthy Both types of diabetes greatly increase ment insulin. lifestyle, including main- a person’s risk for a range of serious health taining a healthy weight, eating sensibly, and exercis- complications. Although monitoring and ing regularly. managing the disease can prevent compli- cations, diabetes remains the leading cause of giving birth to perfectly healthy babies. of blindness and kidney failure in America. It is achievable with a mindful lifestyle, and It also continues to be a critical risk factor careful attention to maintaining glucose levels. for heart disease, stroke, and foot or leg am- There are also many health centers and facili- putations. ties that specialize in diabetic pregnancies. Diabetes & Pregnancy Renal Disease Infants of diabetic mothers experience Renal disease, or kidney failure, is most a disproportionately high rate of mortality, common among those who are diagnosed as prematurity, congenital defects, larger birth diabetic before the age of about 20; about weights, and neonatal respiratory distress 50% of these cases lead to probable renal syndrome. Mothers also risk ketoacidosis, disease. When renal failure appears imminent, hypoglycemia, an acceleration of microvascu- dialysis and kidney transplants become the lar renal, as well as ocular and neural, com- treatment options. plications. But diabetic mothers are capable Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look 9 Steel Magnolias on Film & TV Shining Stars “Herb Ross was basically a choreographer,” MacLaine said at a 2013 screening of the The screenplay of the film. “That means he could be sometimes 1989 film Steel Mag- very stern and sometimes very harsh. My nolias was also writ- deepest memories of the film were how we ten by playwright bonded together after he told one or all of us Robert Harling and how we couldn’t act.” At the same screening, directed by Herbert MacLaine and Sally Field recalled how Ross Ross whose other once suggested that Dolly Parton take acting memorable film cred- lessons. “You don’t say that to Dolly Parton,” its include Footloose said Field. “Dolly Parton is absolutely the (1984), and The funniest, wittiest, and filthiest, and she will Secret of My Succe$s cut you to ribbons.” (1987). An all-star Ross was particularly hard on the upcom- cast made the film an instant classic, with ing star, Julia Roberts. “He went after Julia Sally Field as M’Lynn, Dolly Parton as Truvy, with a vengeance,” Field recalled. “This was Shirley MacLaine as Ouiser, Daryl Hannah as pretty much her first big film.” MacLaine Annelle, Olympia Dukakis as Clairee, and one added that Roberts “would come to my house newcomer, Julia Roberts, as Shelby. every night and say, ‘I think I’m terrible. What This was one of Roberts’s first big roles, am I doing?’ and she was really in tears.” and the casting director trudged through Cinematic history has proven that Julia’s per- turmoil deciding whether or not she would formance (perhaps as a result of Ross’s tough be right for the role—but in the end, it was love) permanently planted her name on this not up to him. Robert Harling knew she was role, and in the professional acting world as a the one. “She walked into the room and that star. smile lit everything up and I said, ‘That’s my sister,’” Harling told the Daily Mail. “So she Writing & Rewriting History joined the party and she was magnificent.” The play’s immediate success led to fast Roberts went on to receive her first Oscar and furious interest in purchasing the mov- nomination, as well as a Golden Globe Award ie rights. “It happened so quickly,” Harling for Best Performance by an Actress in a Sup- told Garden & Gun, “With the buzz around porting Role. the play in New York, there was a constant Leading ladies aside, many other mem- stream from Hollywood coming to check it orable artists graced the screen in this first out. Ray Stark bought the rights and prom- film edition: Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard, and ised me he’d film it in my hometown of Dylan McDermott—to name only a few. Play- Natchitoches, which really clinched the deal.” wright Robert Harling himself was also cast The film put Natchitoches on the map. in a small role as the minister. It was important to Harling that the film be Casting, Re-casting, and Hardcore shot in his hometown on Natchitoches, and Directing its impact is still being felt today. It has had a tremendous impact on the tourism trade and Before Roberts, Meg Ryan was briefly at- community in Louisiana. Visitors to Natchi- tached to the film as Shelby, but dropped out toches who want to visit some of the film’s in order to take on When Harry Met Sally. main locations can take an official tour, and Winona Ryder was also a Shelby contender, even sleep in M’Lynn’s house. The bulk of as was Laura Dern. But the casting director the images of M’Lynn’s home were shot in insisted that the producers audition Roberts, the Cook-Taylor House, which was built in who was filming Mystic Pizza at the time. the 1840s. A residential home at the time, the Once filming began, it is said that director family who lived there relocated to an apart- Ross was notoriously hard on his actresses.  10 Steel Magnolias: A Closer Look ment during filming so as not to disturb the In 2012, the Lifetime Channel remade filmmakers. In 2003, the property was turned Steel Magnolias with an all African Ameri- into a bed and breakfast and renamed “The can cast, including Queen Latifah, Phylicia Steel Magnolias House.” Rashad, Alfre Woodard, Jill Scott, Adepero Intent on filming the story as realistically Oduye, and Condola Rashad. This version as possible, Herbert Ross hired the actual ended up becoming the channel’s third most- doctors and nurses who looked after Susan watched original telecast of all time. But Har- Harling in her final days to do the same for ling was not a fan. Although impressed by the Shelby on the set. The nurse who turns off remake’s caliber of actors, he didn’t appreciate Shelby’s life support in the film did the same that the story needed to be cut up in order to for Susan in real life. make room for commercial breaks. A Glossary of 1980s (or so) Slang

AIRHEAD n. A stupid or unaware person; moron, NEW WAVE A genre of pop/rock music from the late dim-wit. Term implies that there is nothing ’70s to mid-’80s that relied on heavy use but air in the subject’s head. (“He’s con- of synthesizers, performed by groups like fused again. What an airhead!”) A Flock of Seagulls, Duran Duran, The BAD adj. Very good, excellent; “cool,” awe- Busboys, Thompson Twins and Erasure; some. Popularized by Michael Jackson’s also identifies the associated fashion style album Bad and aesthetic: lots of hair mousse or gel, BARF ME OUT interjection. Used in “Valley Girl speak” to makeup on the face, loud colors, etc. denote something offensive or disliked. RAD/RADICAL adj. Fantastic, great. Borrowed from surf- BODACIOUS adj. An ’80s guy’s way to describe a ing terminology. woman who had a beautiful body. “She is RANDOM adj. Unexpected, unusual; especially bodacious with gnarly ta-tas.” something interestingly or delightfully so. the BOMB n. or adj. Something favorable. “This pizza “That band is so random!” is the bomb!” SPAZ n. or v. Awkward person or someone overly CHILL (OUT) v. To relax, hang out; calm down. “Dude, excited; to behave that way. Used as early just chill out.” “Let’s chill at your place.” as 1950s to refer to a “square.” CHOICE adj. Extremely good, “cool”. (Resurgence of STOKED adj. Enthusiastic, excited. “I’m stoked an original meaning of the word.) we’re going to the Duran Duran concert!” DINK n. Acronymic of “Double Income No Kids”; TOTALLY adv. Used to enhace various adjectives. used in reference to yuppie couples. Can be used by itself as a strong affirma- tive. “Your hair is totally rad.” DIPSTICK n. A stupid person, idiot. Popularized by the character Boss Hogg on the TV show TUBULAR adj. Something that is “cool.” Borrowed The Dukes of Hazzard from surfing terminology, referring to the tubular shape of a wave as its crest falls EAT MY SHORTS Phrase used as a universal comeback. over onto itself and through which a great Heavily in use in the ’80s; also used on surf ride can be made. TV’s The Simpsons. VEG (vêj) v. or n. To vegitate (do nothing), or FRESH adj. “Cool,” new. “Duran Duran’s new one who vegitates. Used to describe relax- album is so fresh!” ing. A “couch potato” would “veg.” Today’s GNARLY adj. Extremely bad or good. Borrowed equivalent would be “chill” or “chilling from surfing terminology referring to out”. badly breaking waves. Not commonly adv. Similar to “to the max,” used as a used today. WICKED modifier to add emphasis. “She is wicked GRODY adj. extremely disgusting or gross. Some- smart.” “That is wicked cool.” times emphasized by appending “— to the n. Based on the acronym for Young Urban max!” YUPPIE Professional or Young Upwardly-mobile HOSER n. Loser, jerk. Coined by SCTC characters Professional. A well-educated, career-ori- Bob & Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis & ented, usually white person driven by The Dave Thomas) on their faux TV show money. This person is also connected Great White North . to the social scene, especially if it could LAME adj. Worthless, useless. Used to describe better their business or career. something or someone who is not “cool” or acceptable.