Niantic Bay Playhouse’s next production is the comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias.”

The show, which is directed by Ron McGory, opens Friday and runs through Nov. 4.

“Steel Magnolias” began as a play written by Robert Harling and based in part on his sister, who died from complications from Type 1 diabetes.

But it became a blockbuster with the release of the 1989 movie that featured a star-studded cast, including Julia Roberts, Sally Field and Dolly Parton. It’s about a group of women in a Southern town who are a tight group that complain together, laugh together, and face the death of someone in their family together.

The cast at Niantic Bay Playhouse features Susan McGuire, Jordan Adams, Mary Sue Frishman, Kate Eberle, Tina Falivene and Dale Magnuson.

“Steel Magnolias,” Fri.-Nov. 4, Niantic Bay Playhouse, 279 Main St., Niantic; 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. and 2:30 p.m. Sun.; $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and students, $35 for premium seats; (860) 850-5072, nianticbayplayhouse.org.