Last chance to see ‘On Golden Pond’ and ‘Steel Magnolias’ live on stage this weekend

Two playhouses in Middle Georgia currently are producing critically acclaimed Broadway plays. By chance, both became screen blockbusters in the 1980s and, coincidentally, this is the final weekend for each production.

“On Golden Pond”

Warner Robins Little Theatre presents the dramatic comedy “On Golden Pond,” a 1979 play written by Ernest Thompson about the love story of an aging couple. Produced by special arrangement from Dramatists Play Service, the action takes place at the couple’s summer home and focuses on their bond and the turbulent relationship between their middle-aged daughter and her father.

The 1981 award-winning film of the same name is based on the play and was written for the screen also by Thompson. It stars Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda, who purchased rights to the play specifically for her father.

The film was nominated for the “AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Movies” list, the American Film Institute’s 100 best American movies, and for 10 Oscars. The elder Fonda — in his final film role — won the Academy Award for Best Actor and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor-Motion Picture Drama. Katharine Hepburn won the Academy Award for Best Actress and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Ernest Thompson won for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Don’t miss the last performances of “On Golden Pond,” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 478-929-4579 or visit wrlt.org for more information.

“Steel Magnolias”

Also by special arrangement from the Dramatists Play Service, the Backlot Players are presenting the comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias,” at the Rose Theater in Forsyth.

Written by Robert Harling, the 1987 play is based on the author’s experience with his sister’s death from complications of diabetes after the birth of his nephew. He tells the story about the bond between a group of Southern women and how they cope with the death of a loved one.

The 1989 film, which won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture, stars Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts, who also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The play was later produced in 2012 as a film that starred Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Alfre Woodard and Phylicia Rashad.

See “Steel Magnolias” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, or catch its last performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 478-994-0443 or visit thebacklotplayers.org for more information.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Last chance to see ‘On Golden Pond’ and ‘Steel Magnolias’ live on stage this weekend."