Dallas Theater Presents "Moonlight And Magnolias"

Dallas Theater Center presents Moonlight and Magnolias, a hilarious farce about the writing-and rewriting-of Gone with the Wind, at the Kalita Humphreys Theater January 24-February 18, 2007. Movie mogul David O. Selznick shuts down production on the most expensive film of all time to lock himself, playwright and known rewrite man Ben Hecht (who has not read the book), and director Victor Fleming (who was dragged off of The Wizard of Oz) in a room to rework the screenplay.

The three legends must reenact the novel themselves as they race against the clock to finish the script in this rollicking romp about the creation of one the greatest films ever made.

"Moonlight and Magnolias is the perfect confection, a delightful depiction of three artists at play," said DTC Associate Director David Kennedy. "It is a comic valentine to the spirit of can-do Americana that has been the source of so much of this nation's great pop culture. In what other country would you find such a grand factory of illusions as Hollywood? It takes a particular kind of American genius."

Acclaimed British playwright Ron Hutchinson is also a prolific screenwriter and script doctor, whose work includes Fox Pictures' Flight of the Phoenix, USA Networks' Traffic, and HBO Films' The Josephine Baker Story. With Moonlight and Magnolias, Hutchinson has not only captured the essence of creating a masterpiece of Hollywood's golden age, but also comments on the intricate process of moviemaking today. The Chicago Sun Times calls Moonlight, "At once a hyperventilating slapstick comedy, an impassioned love song and a blazing critique of Hollywood."

Making his Dallas debut, Matt Gaydos plays the infamous David O. Selznick, the most colorful of all legendary Hollywood producers. Local actress Jessica D. Turner returns to DTC to play his assistant Miss Poppenghul, while Brad Bellamy (who stole the show in last season's The Illusion) and Richard Ziman (Twelfth Night) also return to play Ben Hecht and Victor Fleming, respectively.

Featuring a glamorous 1930s art deco decor, the design for Moonlight and Magnolias has been conceived by John Coyne (Scenic Designer), DTC Costume Shop Manager Barbara Hicks (Costume Designer), Marcus Doshi (Lighting Designer) and Ken Travis (Sound Designer).

All performances of Moonlight and Magnolias will be held at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, located at 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. at Blackburn St. where it runs Jan. 24-Feb. 18. Preview performances are Jan. 24-28. Opening night is Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Performance times are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.; and select Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Single ticket prices range from $15 to $60. -- www.dallastheatercenter.org