Mendacity- that’s what Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Broadway is all about. The term is coined by the character Brick Pollitt in the story. He’s an ageing football star, who perceives the world as a ‘torture’. So dominant are the negativities in his mind that he forgets to love his own wife, Maggie, “The Cat”!
Poor Maggie! She had fled from her unprogressive childhood environment to do something big in life. She married Brick, who hailed from a rich Pollit family with a view to seek love and identity. Although she was successful in making an identity in the Pollit family, she failed to get Brick’s love and attention.
Now, it’s the 65th birthday of the family’s patriarch – Big Daddy. So, what’s the big deal? Well, each member of the Pollitt family will be present on this occasion with a hope to take home a definitive share of the enormous wealth of this tycoon. Can we smell the stink of rivalry here? Of course!
The story is based on rivalry and misunderstandings amongst the family members. Each one wants to pull the other down to get into the good books of Big Daddy. The story takes an interesting turn when the doctor diagnoses cancer in Big Daddy. He has only a year to live!
The movie version of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” was made in 1958 by MGM. The star cast included Jack Carson, Burl Ives, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Madeleine Sherwood, and Judith Anderson. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Broadway version, which debuted in the year 1955, was considered magnum opus, yet it failed to impress the jury of Tony Awards and couldn’t get any award!
Maybe the issues of homosexuality and illness elaborated in the story were too much for the jury. However, it successfully managed to penetrate into the thoughts of the common mass through its family emotions and dramatic twists.
Perhaps Tennessee Williams knew this and that’s why he gave no second thoughts in depicting the sensitive issues prevalent in the decaying Southern society. Although it was not easy for Williams to make each character express emotions in exactly the same manner in which he wanted, he was successful in producing a masterpiece on Broadway!
So, if you want to honor the efforts of Tennessee Williams, plus the entire creative team of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, head for the Broadhurst Theatre where the show is running since March 6, 2008. It previewed on February 12 the same year and created a sensation in the whole city.
Watch the superb direction of Debbie Allen, the splendid sets by Ray Klausen, perfect lighting arrangement by William Grant, and remarkable costumes designed by Jane Greenwood.
There’s more to just the story of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Broadway. It’s about the expression of emotions. So, dial a number and book your tickets now.
By: Al Terry
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Al is the webmaster of the Cat On A Hot Tin Roof On Broadway site, a New York City entertainment website with reviews and news on every event, as well as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Broadway tickets information.
0 comments:
Post a Comment