MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS to Play at The Public Theatre, 5/2-11

Spring is finally here and it's time for Moonlight and Magnolias, the fun, farcical, and somewhat true behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the screenplay for Gone With the Wind, now playing at The Public Theatre, May 2 - 11.

Legendary movie producer David O. Selznick has a problem. The filming of Gone with the Wind is going down the drain and he's shutting down the movie until a new script can be written! Set in Hollywood in 1939 and inspired by real life events, Moonlight and Magnolias is a behind-the-scenes account of the collaboration between film producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming, and screenwriter Ben Hecht. For five days, three of the most talented men in Hollywood lock themselves in a room with an unlimited supply of peanuts and bananas (brain food!) and set out to create the perfect screenplay for the greatest movie ever made.

Director Janet Mitchko says, "Frankly, my dear, this is one funny play" and promises the show will be a fun mix of fact and fiction. Whether you're a Gone With The Wind fan or have never seen the movie, she believes the fast pace, witty banter and slapstick comedy will leave you laughing.

The three professional actors playing these famous men have all appeared at various theatres across the country as well as in Maine. Playing the role of producer David O. Selznick will be actor David Davalos. David has appeared at TPT in Rough Crossing, Gun-Shy, Red Herring and Broadway Bound. David is also a playwright, and his play Wittenberg was recently produced by Portland Stage. Playing the role of the director Victor Fleming will be Peter Simon Hilton. Peter was last seen at TPT as Hyde in Jekyll and Hyde, as well as at Maine State Music Theatre where he played Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. Screenwriter Ben Hecht will be played by Mike Anthony. Mike is a familiar face at The Theater at Monmouth where he has appeared onstage for the past few seasons. Keeping these men supplied with bananas and peanuts will be local Maine actress Cheryl Reynolds in the role of Miss Poppenghul, the loyal secretary to David O Selznick.

The Hollywood office the men are locked into has been designed by Jennifer Madigan, lit by Bart Garvey, with costumes by Kathleen Brown.

Moonlight and Magnolias will be performed May 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, Thurs/Fri - 7:30pm, Sat - 8:00 pm, Sun - 2:00 pm, with an added Saturday Matinee on May 10 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $20 adults/ $16 groups of 10 or more and $5 for anyone 18 and under. Call 782-3200 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org for more information. The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre is located at 31 Maple St in downtown Lewiston.

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