The laughter-through-tears comedy “Steel Magnolias” is perennially popular with small theaters — perhaps for the practical reason that it requires only one set. But the latest Central Florida production — this one from Theater West End in Sanford — demonstrates why this show has staying power that’s as strong as, well, steel.

To start with, Robert Harling’s play about the unshakeable friendship among a group of Southern women is expertly and beautifully crafted. It’s a blueprint for living — what’s important, what isn’t — but never heavy-handed. Even what seem to be side stories gently impart wisdom. And it’s funny; oh, it’s funny in the foibles of humanity.

Of course, even the strongest play can stumble for any number of reasons, but at Theater West End director Laurel Hatfield is as sure-footed as they come. I saw the play late in its run, which ended Sunday, so the actors had more time to settle into their roles than usual before my viewing.

They had an easy camaraderie, never forced, and all found the nuances in their character to make them more than one defining quality. Most know the characters from the hit Sally Field-Dolly Parton-Julia Roberts film. There’s perpetually worried M’Lynn, her life-embracing daughter Shelby, homespun Truvy the beautician, well-heeled (and quick with a quip) Clairee, grumpy Ouiser and beautician assistant Annelle, who starts out panic stricken and finds peace through faith.

It helps the play that the characters’ qualities make each of them relatable. We’re all a little bit M’Lynn, a little bit Ouiser (some of us, a lot of Ouiser).

It also helps that the events of the play are the moments that make life tick by: Holidays, weddings, hospital stays, funerals and yes, trips to the hairdresser.

Hatfield’s cast made the most of Harling’s laughs — especially Cynthia Beckert and Krista Miller as friends Clairee and Ouiser, needling each other with a twinkle in the eye. There was a radiance about Rachel Comeau as Shelby, who famously would rather have “thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”

Kristie Geng’s M’Lynn was wound tighter than some but that made her climactic speech in the face of tragedy that much more moving. Her pain was palpable — as was her strength that gives the show its title.

Stefanie Diaz took a light touch with Truvy’s big-hearted words of wisdom, and Zoe Lin Rosas made Annelle’s transformation credible and touching.

To their credit, none of the actors overplayed the emotion. The famous lines were delivered naturally, not with knowing reverence. And each one made their character their own, not a pale imitation of their movie counterpart.

It all took place on a nicely detailed set by Derek Critzer and with added 1980s touches from costume designer Kimberly Murray-Patel and wig designer Sabrina Yager.

Even for reliable Theater West End, this “Steel Magnolias” was a cut above. My only quibble: The tempo started to slacken too early, but that could also be a late-in-the-run factor. In any event, with a production this enjoyable, the extra minutes in the theater weren’t bothersome in the least.

“Steel Magnolias” reminds us that we choose how we spend our time on on this Earth and we answer to no one else for our fundamental choices — not even our friends or our mother. It sounds so simple, when M’Lynn says near play’s end, “Life — well it goes on, doesn’t it?” But as the enduring popularity of “Steel Magnolias” proves and this fine production drove home, the sentiment is also profound.

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