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PAWTUCKET- Imagine, if you will, that you are famed Hollywood producer David O. Selznick and you've spent the last two years of your life, and a considerable fortune of money, obsessing over making Margaret Mitchell's famed epic "Gone With the Wind" into the most fantastic piece of celluloid ever.

Now imagine that after three weeks of shooting, at a cost of roughly $50,000 a day, you've fired your director, and your screenwriter refuses to edit (to a respectable length) what would be a six-hour movie script. Selznick didn't have to imagine that scenario, he lived it. Lucky for him, he didn't live it alone.

The Community Players' last show of the 2008-09 season, Ron Hutchinson's "Moonlight and Magnolias," is based on the harrowing yet hilarious five days of labor put in by Selznick, director Victor Fleming, screenwriter Ben Hecht and Selznick's secretary, Miss Poppenghul, to create the film "Gone With the Wind."

Expertly directed by Sandy Cerel, on a gorgeous set by Brian Mulvey and with brilliant lighting effects by Dan Fisher, "Moonlight and Magnolias" is a comic look at the world of filmmaking and was inspired by Hecht's autobiography.

Locked in a room for five days, surviving on nothing but bananas and peanuts, Selznick, Fleming and Hecht must bring Mitchell's literary masterpiece to life. Each man fights his own demons in the process: Selznick's fears of abject failure, Fleming's reluctance to be involved with a Civil War movie when no Civil War movie has "ever made a dime," and Hecht's moral objections to the film's perceived glorification of slavery. Extreme circumstance plus moral parallels to that era's troubles with the Nazis combine for a humorous and educational look at filmmaking and personal limits.

As Selznick, Neil G. Santoro skillfully brings to life a man of great drive, intelligence and imperfection. He portrays Selznick with stereotypical Jewish angst, but with a great sense of humor. Santoro's timing, body language and ease onstage all result in a thoroughly believable portrayal of Selznick. He absolutely shines in the role.

Roz Remington plays with aplomb Selznick's faithful secretary, Miss Poppenghul. Remington is not onstage often, but when she is, she nails the dutiful secretary role with a titanium hammer. Her Poppenghul is loyal, dedicated and true. Remington even manages to make what some would consider "throw-away lines" memorable through fantastic facial expression.

Sandy Remington's Victor Fleming is caustically perfect. Fleming was said to have been pulled unwillingly from "The Wizard of Oz" set to direct "Gone With the Wind," and Remington's portrayal of Fleming backs up that claim, with often hysterical results. His Fleming is acerbic, quick-witted, intelligent and just plain fun to watch.

Speaking of fun to watch, Brian Mulvey as Hecht is a hoot. His Hecht is a sarcasm machine. Well timed delivery coupled with hilarious facial expressions makes this role a comedic triumph for Mulvey. His confession at the beginning and personal assessment of Scarlett O'Hara is absolute theater comedy at its best.

Special kudos go out to the tech crew for a fine job in a tech-heavy show. Well done.

THE COMMUNITY PLAYERS' production of "Moonlight and Magnolias" runs through June 21 at Jenks Auditorium, Division Street, Pawtucket (across from McCoy Stadium). Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students through high school. (401-726-6860 or www.thecommunityplayers.org)