PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 12/26/16

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.cvlt.org

Promotional PHOTOS available for download at http://www.CVLT.org/promo

'Moonlight and Magnolias' gives a look behind the filming of Gone with the Wind

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre presents the 'mostly' true story

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is staging MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, a comedic behind the scenes look at the making of the legendary movie, Gone with the Wind, weekends January 13 through February 4. Emmy-winning writer Ron Hutchinson penned the script, which is a farce based on actual historical events.

Five weeks into shooting, MGM's epic Civil War film Gone with the Wind was headed toward an epic failure. Fearing critical and financial disaster, producer David O. Selznick called up director Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard of Oz to replace the original clueless director, and called in"script doctor" Ben Hecht to rewrite the awful original script. But Hecht hadn't ever read Margaret Mitchell's sprawling, thousand-page novel! Over the course of just five days, the three men and Selznick's assistant, Miss Poppenghul, frantically act out the book in Selznick's office and craft what was to become a legendary script.

CVLT's production is directed by Stephen Kay, of Solon. "The story is mostly true," Kay said. "That aspect attracted me to want to direct it, along with some genuinely funny scenes that we are bringing to the stage. I don't want to give too much away, but peanuts and bananas are involved."

The cast includes actor Ed Conrad in the role of real-life demanding film producer, David O Selznick (his second turn in this role). Actors Robert McCoy and Tim Champion portray director Fleming and writer Hecht, who are composite characters based on their real-life counterparts. Kristen Jezek plays the role of Miss Poppenghul.

"After the roles were cast, we all met at the director's house and watched Gone with the Wind," said CVLT stage manager Cindee Catalano. "It's a very long movie. That helped give us the right perspective of the enormous job Selznick and the writers undertook in less than a week."

The play is set in 1939, with the shadow of Nazi Germany and the undercurrent of Selznick and Hecht's Jewish identity, as well as the treatment of blacks in the Civil War era.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS runs 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays January 13 through February 4. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for seniors and students. The play contains some adult language.

For tickets, call the Box Office 1-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 440-247-8955, or online at CVLT.org. The theater, which has just completed a major renovation, is located at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls.

CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre.

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