The cast of WCCT's production of Steel Magnolias includes, from left, front row: Rachel Derrig as Shelby and Anne Blankenship as M'Lynn. In back are: Karina Murray as Annelle, Abby Sturtevant Sharp as Truvy, Mary Sealine as Ouiser and Sally Evans as Clairee. They will appear in Webster City Community Theatre's "Steel Magnolias," which opens Friday, September 20.

Grab your girlfriends and a box of tissues, those sassy southern ladies are back in town.

In its third rendition of this iconic story, Webster City Community Theatre is bringing “Steel Magnolias” back to the local stage this month. The enduring tale of strong friendship among women is as ageless as a block of cheese and more divine than the finest wine.

After all, what ladies don’t love wine and cheese when they get together? And it’s never too early for margaritas at Truvy’s Salon.

Of course men are welcome for this laugh-till-you-cry production, and they might just learn a thing or two about what makes women tick.

The women of “Steel Magnolias” will have the audience enthralled, cheering even for the likes of Ouiser. She’s not a bad person, “she’s just been in a bad mood for 40 years,” so her friends say. And who hasn’t had a friend like that?

The story of “Steel Magnolias” is the story of friendship. There are friends who come and go quickly in life. They share a certain stage of life, and then travel on down different roads. But there are also friends who cling together like hairspray that fights the strongest hurricane. They may get on each other’s nerves from time to time, but they are always there for each other — come marriages, divorces, births and death itself. Friends such as this lift up one another like a dollop of Dippity Do on a humid afternoon.

Did I mention that this story is set in a hair salon? If a girl can’t share a few secrets at the beauty parlor, then what’s the world coming to?

And, too, the infinite bond between mother and daughter is at the heart of this story.

WCCT veteran Blankenship takes on the role of M’Lynn, the loving mother with so much to worry over as her daughter Shelby, played by Rachel Derrig, makes some decisions that would scare the bejeebers out of any mom.

As a real-life mother with a son trying to make his own way in New York, Blankenship can easily relate to the role of a concerned mom.

“My son would definitely say, ‘Yes, that’s probably true in real life,'” she said.

It’s a fact of life: Moms everywhere worry. Thank goodness they have friends.

Derrig is pleased to be playing a young woman who pushes the limits in the character of Shelby. In the play, Shelby’s youth and spirit declare: “I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”

On second thought, maybe the old ones, looking back on the chances they didn’t take, just might agree with her.

Taking it all in as the diva of the salon is Truvy, played by Abby Sturtevant Sharp. Another WCCT veteran, she brings a spirit to Truvy that even Dolly Parton, who played the role in the memorable film version, would find as charming as a glass of sweet tea in September.

Karina Murray is the shy and mysterious Annelle, a newcomer at the salon.

“She’s very sweet, and she’s funny — even when she doesn’t mean to be funny,” Murray said of her character. “That’s what I like about playing into that innocence.”

The curmudgeon of this show is Ouiser (pronounced Wheezer), played by Mary Sealine. Another veteran performer, Sealine can relate to the role.

“As you get older, you do as you like,” she said. Friends are wise enough to know that there’s more to Ouiser.

“She may be rough on the outside, but there are moments when she’s soft on the inside.”

Clairee, played by Sally Evans, can see right through that roughness, which most likely explains the longevity of the friendships in “Steel Magnolias.”

These women know each other, faults and all.

Overseeing the entire production is Stephanie Hill, assisted by Ann McLaughlin. Together, they have brought together a cast that is completely believable as true friends. Not surprising, since WCCT is a diverse cast of characters and a real family of friends.

This may be the third time “Steel Magnolias” has been produced on the local stage, but it is a story as fresh as a crisp fall morning. The tale of friendships hits its timing well with this particular cast.

Showtimes and tickets

Showtimes are slated for 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, and Sept. 27 and 28. There will be 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, September 22, and September 29. Tickets are $15, or $12 for students 18 and younger.

Tickets are now available online at webstercitycommunitytheatre.org.

In addition to online orders, the box office at the WCCT Performing Arts Center will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, September 18 and 19, and 25 and 26. Saturday box office hours will be 10 a.m. to noon on September 21 and 28.

Those interested in reserving seats may call the box office at 515 832-4456 and leave a message that will be returned.