MPI Announces Auditions for MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS: It’s 1939 and legendary Hollywood producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, “Gone With the Wind.” Selznick pulls in famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and formidable director Victor Fleming for a complete script rewrite. On a hilarious, yet sometimes emotional roller coaster, they labor behind locked doors over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.

Cast needs: 3 men & 1 woman:

• Ben Hecht (Age Range 41-50)
  As a Hollywood screenwriter and playwright, Hecht is offered $15,000 by producer David O. Selznick to, in five days time, rewrite the screenplay for Gone with the Wind, the filming of which has come to a complete halt. The problem is that Hecht hasn’t read the novel, and after hearing a quick synopsis, he thinks the film is doomed to failure. He is an ex-journalist from Chicago and is very committed to pro-Jewish causes. He also butts heads with the newly appointed director Victor Fleming more than once during the five-day re-write, as he isn’t shy to share his cynicism and sarcasm.
• Victor Fleming (Age Range 46-55)
  A Hollywood director who is pulled from directing The Wizard of Oz, Fleming is to take over Gone with the Wind. His other films have been mostly action films, but he says “if you can write it, I can shoot it.” He and Selznick frantically act out all the characters in Gone with the Wind for Hecht, who types as they role-play.
• David O. Selznick (Age Range 36-45)
  A renowned Hollywood producer, Selznick confines Hecht, Fleming, and himself in his office for five days, subsisting on only bananas and peanuts, until a new screenplay is complete. He is the son-in-law of legendary film producer Louis B. Mayer of MGM fame, and throughout the play suffers from occasional catatonic stupors.
• Miss Poppenghul (Age 26 +)
  The long-suffering assistant of Mr. Selznick, Miss Poppenghul is constantly on-call and dutifully fulfills each request made of her during the men’s five-day confinement

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

The production will be staged January 11th through January 27th, 2013.

For more information or questions about the MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS auditions, contact the director at bryllcohen@zoomtown.com or bryllda@ucmail.uc.edu.