Greetings, Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre, Mississippi’s oldest community theatre celebrating 84 years of entertainment as a charitable non-profit volunteer organization, is proud to present as the fifth play of our 68th season, the hilarious adult comedy by Ron Hutchinson, “Moonlight and Magnolias.” Performances will be Thursday through Sunday, with 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday.

“Moonlight and Magnolias” was originally produced by The Goodman Theatre in Chicago and opened in May 2014.

It’s 1939, and Hollywood is abuzz. Legendary producer David O. Selznick, played by Rusty Jenkins, has shut down production of his new epic, “Gone With the Wind,” a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel. The screenplay, you, see, just doesn’t work. So what’s an all-powerful movie mogul to do?

While fending off the film’s stars, gossip columnists and his own father-in-law (Louis B. Mayer), Selznick sends a car for famed screenwriter Ben Hecht, played by Stacey Carden, and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming, played by Tyler Brown, from the set of “The Wizard of Oz.” Summoning both to his office, he locks the doors, closes the shades, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labor over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.

Since Hecht has never read the novel, this will be a monumental achievement to turn 1,037 pages into an over 130-page screenplay. But Selznick isn’t worried. Fleming has read the novel, and Selznick decides that he and Fleming will act out the novel for Hecht. Selznick will act the role of Scarlett, leaving all the other characters for Victor Fleming to portray!

The New York Daily News said, “Frankly, my dear, this is one funny play … a rip-roaring farce … (with) witty, pointed dialogue and hilarious situations.” The Chicago Sun Times said, “… a Hollywood dream factory farce.” “Moonlight and Magnolias” will have you rolling down the aisles and tears streaming down your face as these award-winning actors will keep you howling! Joining the three male actors is award-winning actress, Lynn Mann as Miss Poppenguhl, Mr. Selznick’s long-suffering and dedicated executive secretary.

“Moonlight and Magnolias” is directed by NLT’s Artistic and Executive Director Layne Taylor, with Lynn Mann as the assistant director and stage manager of the production. From Taylor’s design, the sets were constructed and decorated by Mann, Tyler Brown, Stacey Carden and Jennifer Rosso. Lighting design and sound effects are by Taylor.

Don’t miss this hysterical adult comedy that is based on fact. Tickets are $15 each for non-members of Natchez Little Theatre. Reservations are highly recommended, even for NLT members and sponsors.

Call NLT at 601-442-2233 or toll free at 877-440-2233. To guarantee your reservations, purchase tickets securely online at natcheztheatre.org. The box office and auditorium will open one hour before Showtime.

I look forward to seeing you at “Moonlight and Magnolias.”

 

Layne Taylor is the Natchez Little Theatre’s artistic and executive director and director of “Moonlight & Magnolias.”