BLT show opens March 18
The Butler Little Theatre will next cast its stage lights on “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson. The show is directed by Phillip Ball and opens March 18.
Set in 1939, “Moonlight and Magnolias” is the tale of the production shutdown of legendary producer David O. Selznick's epic, “Gone with the Wind,” the film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel. The screenplay is not working so he hires famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming from the set of “The Wizard of Oz” to give the show a fresh start.
The catch is the men only have five days to complete the new screenplay and must do it while locked in an office and eating only peanuts and bananas.
Ball, of Butler Township, chose to direct this show after discussing it with some friends.
“I liked the variations of attitude with this show. There are great funny moments but also many times where issues are brought up that are quite relevant,” Ball said, noting that he would describe the play as a poignant comedy.
“The bluntness of the male characters I also find interesting. It's almost a historic display of the old American male,” he said.
The show features Casey Bowser as David O. Selznick, Julia Kramer Szazynski as Miss Poppengoul and two roles with split performances: Ben Hecht played by Jud Michael Stewart on March 18, 19, 20, 23 and 24 and by Ball on March 22, 25 and 26; and the role of Vic Flemming played by Jud Stewart on March 18, 19, 23 and 24 and by Patrick Erkman on March 20, 22, 25 and 26.
Bowser of Center Township was most recently on the BLT stage in “The Importance of being Earnest” in May.
“This is the first time that I have ever had to play a character that was an actual real life, living breathing person. It sort of adds an extra level of difficulty,” Bowser said.
While most people don't have a preconceived notion of the famous Selznick, Bowser wants to be true to the character.
“I still feel a pressure to portray this person to the audience the best way I can and in the best possible light,” he said.
“The author pulls back a few layers and you get to see a guy who seems to wrestle with the business side of entertainment versus the art of entertainment,” he added. “Honestly, it's my favorite type of show: silly over the top humor with a message.”
Playing the role of Ben Hecht during the first several shows is Jud Michael Stewart of Butler who appeared in the BLT showing of “All My Sons” in January.
“I play famous screen writer Ben Hecht. He worked in the studio age of Hollywood and was the screen writer for many famous movies including ‘Gone With the Wind.' He also had his hand in many other films,” explained Stewart, who said he is enjoying working on a play about a movie.
“I love the movies and love reading and learning about the Hollywood studio system. I find the ‘golden age' of Hollywood fascinating,” he said.
Stewart will be sharing the stage with his father for the first time since he was 12. “I can honestly say that this is one of the most fun shows I've ever worked on. The script is hilarious and the subject matter is interesting. I love working with the people involved and we have a great cast,” Stewart said. “It's going to be a very solid performance.”
The show is being produced by Karen O'Donnell who has served as producer of numerous shows for the Musical Theatre Guild.
“It is my first time producing for the Butler Little Theatre and I am learning the process,” O'Donnell said. “The audience will have the pleasure of seeing a talented, well-seasoned cast. I am certainly looking forward to the run.”
<B>WHO: </B>Butler Little Theatre<B>WHAT: </B>“Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson<B>WHEN: </B>March 18 to 26 with curtain at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays<B>WHERE: </B>One Howard St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$10, available by calling 724-287-6781 from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Friday beginning today for the general public<B>INFO: </B>www.bltgroup.org
