My husband, Christian Carvajal, is one of the regular theater critics for the Weekly Volcano, so I get to tag along. It's fun, even when the productions aren't instant classics. We see almost every show together and agree on most. Opening night of Steel Magnolias at Tacoma Little Theatre was a rare case of disagreement between us, though, which is why I insisted on writing this review.

Granted, the show's not aimed at straight men like my Chinese-buffet-loving soul mate, and it gets produced more often than right-handed babies - but what's wrong with a little '80s-style Southern comfort? I think maybe Carv's seen Robert Harling's 1987 tearjerker too often. I laughed often and misted my glasses at the end, but he just sat there like a parking meter with Asperger's. He chuckled twice throughout the whole play. It's enough to make me wonder if his feelers are broken.

You've probably seen the 1989 movie version as many times as I have - we love you, Shirley MacLaine, even if you are crazier than a Mumbai roundabout! - so I'll skimp on plot details. A handful of sassy Louisiana gals like to hang out at a beauty shop owned by Truvy Jones, played here by Stephanie Leeper (Dolly Parton in the movie). The story centers around Truvy's good friend M'Lynn (Kathi Aleman) and her diabetic daughter Shelby (Gretchen Boyt). Shelby has baby fever, but her doctors all warn her it'd be risky to get pregnant. Well, if you've ever seen a chick flick in your life, you can pretty much track Act II as it works its way up I-5, but no one ever said these stories are admired for their surprise factor.

I thought the actors' Louisiana accents, with help from dialect coach Lynn Harper Nelson, were perfect. Everyone seemed to fit into the same neighborhood. Carv agreed but gunched about Southern accents giving actors a license to overemote. I felt Leeper was outstanding as Truvy, animated and funny with all of Parton's charming mannerisms. Carv said she reminded him of a caffeinated Cheri Oteri character. He was more impressed by Kathi Aleman and the understated performances of Dana Galagan and Jessica Robins, but he's a fan of the whole "acting is reacting" philosophy who gives eye-rolls to "tearless crying" on stage. We both thought Carol Richmond could use more of Shirley MacLaine's obnoxiousness as Ouiser, but it's tough to stay hateful for months. Even Carv barely manages it!

So yes, I thought director Elliot Weiner and his cast of Southern belles did a marvelous job with an old favorite. I loved Blake York's two-level set and Michele Graves' awesome ‘80s costumes. It may not be your exact cup of tea, men, but unless you have a heart of stone like certain theater critics, you'll probably enjoy it, too.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Nov. 3, Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 North I Street, Tacoma, $15-$22, 253.272.2281