Production of ‘Moonlight and Magnolias’ worth a peek

Moonlight and Magnolias, now on view at Vintage Theatre, is a comedy which fantasizes that producer David O. Selznick locked screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming in his office until they could write a new screenplay for Gone With the Wind.

Robert Kramer is an absolute whirlwind of brilliant over-the-top angst as producer David O. Selznick.

Bob Leggett turns in his best performance to date as Hecht.

Don Deveux anchors the play with his stalwart portrayal of Victor Fleming.

Kelly Reeves is fetching and funny as Mr. O. Selznick’s harried secretary.

Luke Allen Terry skillfully directs the show with an eye to what will strike the audience’s funny bone. The performances he elicits from his cast are hilarious. Much of the humor stems from the sheer physicality required by playwright Ron Hutchinson’s script. The writing is good but not great and the air goes out of the balloon in one scene when Hecht and Fleming consider the options as David O. Selznick freezes for what seems to be a rather long time.

The very fine set and lighting designs are by Drew Kowalkowski. There are lots of laughs and a few happy surprises along the way. However the script itself comes off as a lesser work after all the mind-blowing serious works of the past year at Vintage, which includes Angels In America, Equus and Grey Gardens.

If you’re like this reviewer, Moonlight and Magnolias will make you sit down and watch Gone With the Wind again and look up that recipe for Mint Juleps.

Moonlight and Magnolias plays at the Vintage Theatre through July 31.