MARGARET MITCHELL COMES HOME
By Doc Lawrence
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| CHRISTAIN IS FLAWLESS |
ATLANTA—Margaret Mitchell was asked many times what was her book about. “Gone With The Wind,” she replied “is about the South.” Concurrent with the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Gone With The Wind’s publication, Mrs. John Marsh – The World Knew Her as Margaret Mitchell, a one woman play about the author, is live and onstage at Atlanta’s acclaimed Ansley Park Playhouse through July.
And what a spellbinding performance.
This original play tells the story of the reclusive author’s life before and after she became a publishing sensation. It stars Kandace Christian, a Tennessee based actress and former Miss Mississippi. The one-woman play includes an audio visual component of rarely published photographs and newsreel footage from the movie’s Atlanta premiere.
“Have you ever wished you could have met Margaret Mitchell? Here’s your chance! Kandace Christian brings the author of Gone With the Wind to life,” said John Wiley, Jr., co-author of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood.
“Hat contests during matinee performances seemed perfect for a play about Margaret Mitchell,” said Melita Easters, playwright and producer. ”She was frequently photographed in hats and they were an important part of any woman’s closet for her generation. And, who can forget the hat Scarlett wore to the Twelve Oaks barbecue in the movie’s opening scenes or the green velvet and feathered number Rhett smuggled through blockades for Scarlett during the war. Our actress wears several vintage hats during the play.”
Easters said she was inspired to add extra “Talk Back” sessions after giving a speech to residents at an Atlanta retirement home and asking how many had attended the premiere or Junior League ball during 1949. “So many residents had met Margaret Mitchell or had special memories associated with the book or movie that I wanted a forum for the rest of us to learn from and share their experiences,” she said. Easters added that there are many amusing anecdotes about Mitchell and the book which simply did not fit the format of the play which are perfect for sharing during a talk back session. She confirmed that Ms. Mitchell drank Martini’s from a Mason jar and led a discussion about the recipe for Scarlett O’Hara cocktails. (The base ingredient is Southern Comfort).
The play tells the story of the reclusive author’s life before and after she became a publishing sensation, and includes an audio visual component of rarely published photographs and newsreel footage from the movie’s Atlanta premiere.
The play is based on the author’s articles, letters and the one hour radio interview she gave in 1936. Additionally, Easters incorporated her research to construct an engaging and historically accurate picture of Mitchell’s life.
“Proving it is possible for aura to emanate from words, the presence of Margaret Mitchell has been wonderfully resurrected in Melita Easters’ compelling one-woman theater piece. Easters masterfully celebrates one of America’s most famous literary figures by giving her the spirit of life that gave us the book — Gone With the Wind,” said noted Georgia author Terry Kay.
Ticket information: http://www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com/mmreservations.html
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