America loves the movies, but what she likes better than film is the salacious goings-on behind the silver screen. The nuts, bolts, and tasty gossip are as interesting as the end result.

The Little Theatre of Savannah's production of Moonlight and Magnolias satisfies both cravings by examining how Gone With the Wind came to be one of the most beloved films of all time. Based on true events, the play follows David O. Selznick in his determined quest to bring Margaret Mitchell's literary work to Hollywood.

Selznick is without a screenplay and in an effort to turn out a script fast, he locks director Victor Fleming, writer Ben Hecht, and himself in his office for five days, no one being allowed to leave until the script is complete. Hecht has never read the acclaimed book, so Selznick and Fleming act out the scenes while Hecht writes.

But along with pressure to get the show on a roll Selznick has to face the mounting tensions of being a Jew in 1939, and no matter how much he'd rather ignore it, Hecht is constantly complaining that he has obligations as a prominent man to bring light to the injustices going on at home as well as in Europe. Between the enormous time crunch and a peanut-and-bananas-only diet, anger, frustration, and hallucinations ensue.

"This play addresses so much more of what's going on besides three guys being locked in a room. Most people aren't realistically going to know the layers of what we've learned and researched about these guys," says director Grace Diaz Tootle.

"But they're going to be able to peel it back to find so much more than face value."

The cast and crew have done their work in regards to getting to know their characters, and talk about them as one would a close friend. Beyond what's in the play they've researched intriguing backs stories and liaisons that put today's gossip rags to shame.

"This is a huge piece of Hollywood history, that significant moment of creating one of the most magnificent movies ever made. It's epic." explains Louis Clausi, who plays Ben Hecht.

Even though there's a heavy foreground involved, don't let that fool you. This is one seriously funny play. Joining Clausi in the mayhem is Sonny Schneider as David O. Selznick and Les Taylor as Victor Fleming.

This trio act like old buddies offstage and bring that chemistry to life as they argue, slap, and sleep-type their way through getting this script written. The result is a delightful comedic banter that makes you feel like you're always in on the joke.

"When I first read this play I couldn't believe how witty and well written it was. It's honestly the best non-musical I've read in over 15 years," says Schneider.

Taylor agrees, saying, "It's so funny that it's very difficult to stay straight faced on stage, you just want to laugh at what the other guys are doing."

While the Little Theatre uses a rented space at the Freight Station during performances and have been doing rehearsals at the Savannah Children's Theatre, they don't have a permanent space to call home.

"We'd love to gain the kind of support it would take to afford our own space," explains Tootle. "And for the price of a ticket I really think people are going to get a great laugh and peek at movie history."

The Little Theatre's Moonlight and Magnolias

When: March 19-22, 26-28, April 2-4 at 8pm. March 22 and April 5 at 3pm.

Where: The Freight Station, 703 Louisville Rd

Cost: $20 general admission, $15 students/military/seniors.

Info: 912-631-3773, www.littletheatreofsavannah.org