‘Gone With The Wind’ Goes Bananas TheatreWorks New Milford Opens the Fast-Paced Comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias” on April 18

NEW MILFORD, CONN. (April 3, 2008) – TheatreWorks New Milford is proud announce its premiere of playwright Ron Hutchinson’s MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS — the funny and fast-paced comedy inspired by true events in the making of the epic film, ‘Gone With The Wind.’ The production opens April 18 for a four-week run.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS opens in 1939 as legendary movie producer David O. Selznick (Tom Libonate, Danbury) has just shut down production on his troubled ‘Gone With The Wind’ set and locked himself in his office with screenwriter Ben Hecht (Glenn Couture, Ansonia) and director Victor Fleming (Jonathan Ross, Thomaston) to rewrite the script. As Selznick’s efficient and put-upon secretary (Missy Slaymaker-Hanlon, Brookfield) feeds his colleagues a strict diet of only peanuts and bananas, this hilarious story of cinematic history comes to life as the three creative forces clash and compromise for five days straight, wrestling over every detail, from the angle of Scarlett O’Hara’s infamous slap to the film’s famous final words.

“The play is just hysterical. It’s full of riotous one-liners and lots of slapstick,” said Director Sonnie Osborne of New Milford. “But it also has heart…taking place when World War II was just around the corner, world events existing beyond the movie studio are also touched upon in the comic melee that surrounds these four larger-than-life characters. Still, in the end, it’s a downright funny production.”

“For people searching for an evening of laughs, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS is a must-see,” said Richard Pettibone, President of TheatreWorks New Milford and the show’s Producer. “With one of the most beloved movies of all time at its center, the play will appeal to movie buffs and theatergoers alike. The fast-moving dialogue pays homage to some classic comedy films such as ‘His Girl Friday’ and ‘One, Two, Three.’”

The crew of MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS also includes Scott Wyshynski (Washington) in the role of Technical Director and Set Designer and Beth Harvison (New Milford) is handling Stage Management.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS first opened at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago on May 15, 2004 and made its New York debut at the Manhattan Theatre Club on March 29, 2005. The New York Daily News said of the production, “Frankly, my dear, this is one funny play…a rip-roaring farce…[with] witty, pointed dialogue and hilarious situations.”

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS runs April 18,19 25,26 May 2,3,4 9,10. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on May 4. Tickets for all shows are $20.00 for reserved seating. PLEASE NOTE: PEOPLE WITH SEVERE NUT ALLERGIES SHOULD AVOID THIS PRODUCTION.

On Thursday, April 17, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks’ Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket. Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

TheatreWorks is an award-winning, regional theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, Conn.