BrightSide Theatre Presents MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, Now thru 9/15

BrightSide Theatre will be presenting Ron Hutchinson's uproariously hilarious comedy Moonlight and Magnolias, directed by Chicago Theatre Veteran Greg Kolack, tonight, August 30-September 15, 2013.

Moonlight and Magnolias plays tonight, August 30 - September 15, 2013 - Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540. Tickets are $20-$24 with special discounts for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase tickets visit BrightSide Theatre's website at www.brightsidetheatre.com or call the box office of North Central College at 630-637-SHOW (7469).

For the movie lover in us all, Moonlight and Magnolias gives us a true-to-life, laughter-filled behind-the-scenes glimpse of how Gone With The Wind made its way to the silver screen. Legendary film producer David O. Selznick, who is five weeks into shooting Gone With The Wind, realizes the script is awful and the director doesn't have a clue. With just five days to replace them, rewrite the screenplay and restart the shoot or the production shuts down, Selznick calls Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard to Oz to direct, and 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 the course of five madcap days locked in an office with only peanuts and bananas for food, the three men frantically craft one of the most beloved screenplays of all time. Director Greg Kolack says, "As a lifelong film admirer, I look forward to relaying the story of how the men behind this American movie classic salvaged the production and set the stage for one of the most famous films ever made, told with a lot of humor - and with some not so subtle jabs at the film industry itself."

Moonlight and Magnolias feature the talents of some of the area's finest talent. Michael Black (of Chicago) plays the overzealous film producer David O. Selznick, Jaff Gamlin (of Westmont) portrays the larger than life film director Victor Fleming, Tin Penavic (of Downers Grove) rounds out the trio as the script doctor extraordinaire Ben Hecht. Completing this comedic ensemble in the role of Mr. Selznick secretary Miss Poppenghul isLinda Cunningham (of LaGrange).

Award winning and 37 year veteran of Chicago Theatre Greg Kolack (of Downers Grove) directs Moonlight and Magnolias. Most recently Mr. Kolack directed Sylvia at Theatre of Western Springs, where he also directed Black Comedy and Proof. Last year he directed the acclaimed rep productions of The Laramie Project and the Chicago Premiere of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later at Redtwist Theatre. He received his 3rd Jeff Award for Direction for his critically acclaimed production of columbinus at Raven Theatre, chosen by several critics as one of the best shows of the year. Other productions include The Exonerated (Raven), The Odd Couple (Drury Lane), Tim Robbins' Embedded (Prop Thtr), Patient A (Far West), Doubt (Redtwist), Man of LaMancha and Nunsense (Clock Tower), Of Mice And Men (Alchemy Theatre), The Fantasticks (Shady Lane),the world premieres of All Through The Night by Shirley Lauro (Chicago Jewish) and Hitman: The Hack Wilson Story (Bailiwick), and numerous children's shows and university productions. For 7 years he served as Co-Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, where he directed the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's The Crime Of The Century (which he also conceived), A Piece Of My Heart, The Credeaux Canvas, Salome, and Never In My Lifetime, among others. He also produced Circle's appearance with Russell Crowe's band at The House of Blues. Greg has also been appearing on Chicago stages as an actor for almost 3 decades, most recently in The Sign Of The Four at City Lit. In another vein, he has been the General Manager of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago since 2006.

BrightSide Theatre is Naperville's only professional theatre company performing in the historic downtown district who is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community will inhabit BrightSide's stage.