This film contains many of the original actors from the long running stage-production, with the actors who originated the Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges roles (Mary Margaret Lewis and Mitch Carter) playing the receptionist Ethel and security guard in the mental institution.
Delta Burke's role was originally supposed to be played as a larger woman, but when she showed up on the set having lost a lot of weight, a pivotal scene was played as if she had lost the weight, but her neglectful husband hadn't noticed. (The role was originally to be played by Patrika Darbo.)
The character of Juanita does not appear in the original play. She proved so popular in the film, however, that Del Shores wrote alternate versions of scene 2 and 4 for theaters that wanted to include her.
Final film of William Phipps.
The play was first performed in 1996, two years before Tammy Wynette died. It is set in 1998, which turned out to be just a few months after her death.