Moonlight and Magnolias

Main Street Players Presents: Moonlight and Magnolias

Get a hilarious inside look at one of the most absurdly memorable moments in Hollywood history with Moonlight and Magnolias, the 25th season opener for Main Street Players. In February 1939, producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming and writer Ben Hecht met to work on the screenplay for the film adaptation of Gone with the Wind. There was just one problem: Hecht hadn't read the book. So, Selznick and Fleming determined to act out the entire story for the screenwriter. The men locked themselves inside Selznick's office for a week, rarely sleeping and eating nothing but peanuts and bananas while frantically attempting to finish writing one of the most ambitious screen epics ever made.

This insane-but-true story is detailed in memorable fashion by this theatrical production, which simultaneously offers an insightful look at the film industry in the 1930s, a comic exploration of Margaret Mitchell's beloved story and an abundance of riotous physical and verbal comedy. It's an experience you won't want to miss.

Moonlight and Magnolias was written by Ron Hutchinson, an Emmy-winning screenwriter and playwright who has done acclaimed work in the realm of film and theatre for nearly forty years. The play debuted at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2004, and was subsequently nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work. Main Street Players staged their own production a few years later, and they are pleased to be able to bring it back to local audiences once again.

The cast is filled with familiar faces that Main Street audiences will recognize. Chris Gansel plays Selznick, Brad Jester plays Fleming and Scott Hixson plays Ben Hecht. Rounding out the cast is Elise Wright, playing Selznick's long-suffering secretary Miss Poppenghul. The play is directed by Norma Richardson (who is also Main Street's Artistic and Managing Director). BJ Hughes will design the show with Franky Dansby, as head carpenter. Nate Barnes will design the lighting and Scott Welborn the sound for this performance. Keith Potter serves as stage manager with Karen Stanford as production assistant.

The play runs September 16-27, 2026, with performances at 7:30 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3:00 PM matinee performances on Sundays. Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this riotous spoof, so call promptly (Box Office: 770-229-9916) to reserve your seat. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting mainstreetplayers.org-just click on the show-then click on “Buy A Ticket.” The remaining tickets will also be sold at the theatre the evening of each performance. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students, with special discounts available for groups of ten or more. 

Don't miss this hilarious, revealing visit to the Golden Age of Hollywood!