Laguna Playhouse presents MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, October 6 - November 1

LAGUNA BEACH, CA -- What happens when three Hollywood hotshots undertake the daunting task of rewriting the script to Gone With the Wind-in only five days? Find out when The Laguna Playhouse presents the Orange County premiere of MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, October 6 – November 1, 2009. The play is written by Ron Hutchinson and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

Famed film producer David O. Selznick decides to stop the filming of Gone with the Wind three weeks into production because he wants a rewrite of the unwieldy script. He hires Ben Hecht to do the job in only five days. Only one problem: Hecht has never read the novel! So, Selznick summons Hecht and Gone With the Wind director Victor Fleming to his office and locks the door. Subsisting on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men spend five days crafting a screenplay for what will become one of the most successful films of all time.

Based on a true story, this wildly funny and engaging tale illuminates the behind the scenes business of movie-making during the golden age of Hollywood. "I saw MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS at The Old Globe in San Diego some years ago, and I felt that one day it would be a good fit for me and The Laguna Playhouse," notes Barnicle. "I'm at my best with comedy that has heart, and this one surely does. The story of the creation of the screenplay for Gone With the Wind also reveals some interesting things about the ethnic tension in Hollywood during what we usually refer to as the 'Glory Days.' Based on this play, maybe they weren't so glorious after all."

This is a co-production with McCoy Rigby Entertainment (Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby, Executive Producers) & La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFORMATION

Previews: October 6 – 10, 2009
Opening Night Gala: Saturday, October 10: 7:30 pm (By invitation only / press night)

Regular Performances: October 11 – November 1, 2009

Showtimes:
Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday matinees October 8 & 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday evening October 18 at 7:00 p.m.
(Dates and times subject to change)

Ticket Prices: 
Preview performances: $30 to $50
Gala Opening Night performance: $115
Regular performances: $35 to $65
Student Tickets (except Fri. and Sat. evenings): $10 to $15

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Tickets to any performance are available by purchasing tickets in person or by calling the box office at (949) 497-ARTS [2787]  (or group sales, dial ext. 229) or by visiting their web site at www.lagunaplayhouse.com. The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, CA.

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