MASTER
 
 

Moonlight & Magnolias

By City Theatre of Independence (other events)

6 Dates Through Apr 02, 2023
 
ABOUT ABOUT

SYNOPSIS

Legendary film producer David O. Selznick is five weeks into shooting Gone With the Wind when he realizes the script is awful and that the director doesn't have a clue. He has five days to replace them and restart the shoot, or the production will shut down. Selznick calls Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard of Oz to direct, and he taps legendary playwright, screenwriter, and script doctor Ben Hecht to rewrite the script. There's only one problem: Hecht hasn't read the book. Over five madcap days, the three men, assisted by Selznick's assistant, Miss Poppenghul, frantically craft one of the most beloved screenplays of all time. As Selznick and Fleming act out the book for Hecht, the phone rings off the hook with calls from the likes of Vivien Leigh, Louis B. Mayer, and Ed Sullivan. Based on historical events, Hutchinson's play is written as a farce, but the characters also deal with serious questions about race and the fragile position of Jewish executives in Hollywood.

 

Director - Melissa Trierweiler 

David O. Selsnick - Nino Casisi

Ben Hecht - Jack McCord

Victor Fleming - Ray Ettinger 

Miss Poppenghul - Maddy Phillip

 

** SPECIAL NOTICE**

1) Along with adult language and themes, please note that “Moonlight and Magnolias” contains language and content surrounding themes such as racism, antisemitism, homophobia, and sexism that may be shocking or upsetting for audience members. 

2) Peanuts will be used during the performance.