Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson

Directed by Charlotte Ryan

PRODUCTION DATES – QMT STUDIO  ​23^rd – 27^thSeptember 2025

Plot

Hollywood 1939, semi-independent mogul David O. Selznick has shut down production on his mega budget version of Margaret Mitchell’s bestselling novel Gone with the Wind. He scraps the original script and sacks the director in the process.

Determined to produce a rewrite in five days, he calls on the help of script doctor Ben Hecht, possibly the only person in America who has not read the novel and the movie’s new director Victor Fleming, poached straight from the set of The Wizard of Oz, where he had been dealing with squabbling Munchkins and coming to blows with Judy Garland. His reputation is on the line, Selznick locks himself and his two collaborators in his office with nothing but peanuts and bananas to sustain them and the creative session begins…  

Cast (Four) 

David O. Selznick – Film Producer & Screen Writer – Semi Independent Mogul (Gender Male – Age 30’s – 50’s) – A renowned movie producer, son-in-law of legendary film producer Louis B Mayer of MGM fame, his enthusiasm and connections to Hollywood royalty drive this show. He dreams big and takes chances! 

Ben Hecht – Screen Writer (Gender Male – Age 30’s – 50’s) – An ex-journalist from Chicago and often bumps heads with newly appointed director Victor Fleming. Heavy sarcasm and dry humour, while appearing to hate every moment of this process it becomes clear he has been drawn into the madness and is determined to complete this script. 

Victor Fleming – Director (Gender Male – Age 30’s – 50’s) – Most of Victor’s films have been action based but he is ready to take on the challenge! Strong willed, demanding and very vocal he pushes against Hecht resulting in many hilarious arguments. Full of passion and drive! 

Miss Poppenguhl – Secretary to David Selznick (Gender Female –  Age 20’s – 60’s) – Very capable  long suffering secretary to Selznick she caters to his out bursts with grace and humour. A California native she is not thrown by big names or their strange ways. She keeps the screenwriting team supplied and nourished while also being their only contact with the outside world. 

Accent – American 

Reviews

“Ron Hutchinson’s hilarious comedy Moonlight and Magnolias is a sheer joy. It’s years since I’ve laughed out loud so much at a play in what was a wonderful evening’s entertainment that the audience absolutely loved.”

“A  gossipy homage to Hollywood”

Details

Auditions are open to everyone and perusal copies of the script are available at the theatre, they must be returned within 3 days. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Charlotte, who will be delighted to hear from you.

Charlotte.ryan@live.co.uk

Audition Dates

Rehearsals

Tuesdays and Thursdays