The play was previously seen at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago. MTC will produce the play starting Feb. 17, 2005, at MTC's Stage I at City Center.

As previously reported, the production will replace Our Leading Lady by Charles Busch, in MTC's 2004-2005 season. Meadow was to have directed Our Leading Lady, about the American actress Laura Keen, who performed at Ford's Theater the night Abraham Lincoln was shot.

"Charles has decided he would like the first production of Our Leading Lady to be done outside of New York City, and we of course, support his wishes," Meadow said in a statement. "I am looking forward to directing it. In the meantime, I am delighted to be working with Ron Hutchinson on the New York premiere of his new play."

Moonlight and Magnolias is "set in Hollywood in 1939 and inspired by real events." It's "a behind-the-scenes account of the frenetic collaboration between film producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming and screenwriter Ben Hecht as, in a mere five days, they struggle to write the screenplay for 'Gone With the Wind.'"

* At The Goodman Theatre's Owen Theatre May 15-June 20, Ron Orbach played film mogul David O. Selznick and William Dick was Ben Hecht in Moonlight and Magnolias.

Orbach—a veteran of Broadway's Laugher on the 23rd Floor and the original Chicago incarnation of The Producers—and Dick played opposite Rob Riley as director Victor Fleming.

Steve Robman directed Moonlight at The Goodman.

*

About the withdrawal of Our Leading Lady, Busch told Variety, "It is my decision to withdraw Our Leading Lady. I've done a number of shows recently that I think would have done better if they'd played out of town first, including Taboo."

He also added, "The very people who complain that New York City doesn't see new plays are the same people shining the spotlight on your every move."