I wondered, but now I know "Moonlight and Magnolias" is the best comedy of Salem's theater season, showcasing a small and splendid cast, including possibly the best performance by any actor, David Myers, on a local stage.

The setting is 1939, inside the office of GWTW producer David O. Selznick, portrayed by Myers. He has halted production on his flagship film, and urgently needs a script re-write. To accomplish this, he locks himself in his office with the film's new director Victor Fleming (David Janoviak) and script doctor Ben Hecht (Mark Schwahn), for five days.

Selznick is filled with desperate passion for his movie. Hect is sure the movie will be a ridiculous, racist flop. And Fleming is on contract and along for the ride. They spend five straight days, mincing and fluttering through Scarlett's adventure, eating peanuts and bananas, screaming and slapping, all interspersed with commentary about societal angst as it pertains to blacks, Jews, and America.

Janoviak's Fleming starts out a little over-reached, with a rather corny bit of gravel in his voice. By the second act, however, this over-the-top approach blossoms perfectly into comedy, drawing many laughs, whether by sobbing over a difficult banana or defending his slugging of Judy Garland, "Oh, I hit her once!"

Schwahn's Hect is the tamest of the performances; his lines spoken with heavy straight sarcasm and bulging eyes. But he too, earns the audience's empathy and laughter throughout the play. A special delight is Dawnie Drebin, the only female cast member, as the loyal secretary Miss Poppenghul. Drebin's specialty is entrances and exits, sending forceful glares and winces to the men in the office, with little need of dialogue.

A truly incredible performance is given by David Myers, as the desperately optimistic Selznick, who intends to package racism, loose morals, child hitting, and the mightiness of the Klan into a presentation palatable to the American public. You will immediately forget that Myers is not really a 1939 Hollywood producer, and you will not remember that he is just an actor at any point in the play. He doesn't mis-speak a syllable, doesn't give a single gesture that doesn't feel natural and honest.

This is a marvelous play, in every aspect. Even down to the set design, which uses mint green and orange in the most complementary fashion imaginable. Familiarity with "Gone With The Wind" isn't necessary, since with the exception of Selznick the characters don't know much about it, either. Familiarity with "Moonlight and Magnolias," however, should be compulsory for any theater-lover.

Performances began last week, but will continue through May 18. For tickets visit salemrep.org.