“What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof? Just staying on it, I guess, as long as she can.” These were the lines uttered by movie star legend, Elizabeth Taylor, in her role as Maggie Pollitt in the 1958 film version of Tennessee William’s play, “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.”
Through April 17, this evocative and pun-filled play will be showcased at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre in an expanded and adult-rated version that focuses on remaining as true to Williams original work as possible.
“Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Drama Critics Award for Best Play. The sensuality and excitement of this work first heated up Broadway in 1955 with its gothic American story of two brothers (and their wives) vying for the inheritance of their dying father, Big Daddy, amid a whirlwind of sexuality untethered, and the burden of love repressed.
Williams, as he so often did with his plays, rewrote “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” for many years. The Theatre Centre’s version was prepared by Williams for the American Shakespeare Festival production in 1974, with all the changes that satisfied the playwright’s desire for a definitive text.
Sitting down to this almost three hour viewing of the play produced by the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and Comcast, the announcer warned repeatedly that this production would feature adult content and adult language. While this may be cause to leave the kids at home for the night, it should not defer adults from enjoying this emotion tugging adaptation of human interaction.
The characters of Williams work are strong, and fierce at times especially in Maggie’s character as she works to free herself from a history of poverty and downward glares such as she receives from her sister-in-law, Mae Pollitt. Maggie’s husband, Brick, elicits our sympathy as we encounter his woes, but even this emotion is not so simple as we see his actions turn over the course of the three acts.
Another thing to consider when viewing this play is the actors themselves and the fact that they are all volunteers, putting on a performance that will make you cringe and laugh. Kim Jackson as Maggie is a perfect embodiment of the hungry woman she portrays, seeking her husband’s affection and her own self-protection.
Jonathan Harris does a wonderful job at portraying the drunken husband and former football star that is simply waiting for the “click.” The shocking behavior, language and rough edge of “Bid Daddy” comes through magnificently with John Hammons portrayal as well. Moreover, Lizzie Chazen as Mae embodies that catty social diva we all are familiar with. Director Bob Willie chose well with all the actors in bringing this pensive and funny production to stage in our area.
Also worth noting is the actors behind the “no-neck monsters” who debuted in this production. These three children brought a lot of hilarity to the play and broke up the more tense moments that occurred. While you can hardly call the ending of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” a happy one, it remains true to the writer’s style and leaves the audience to draw their own conclusion on the true “ending” of the characters’ fates.
On April 15, Girls Night Out, sponsored by Brewer Media, will provide drinks and snacks before the 8 p.m. curtain time.
Continuing in the 87th season for the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, the next play to be presented in conjunction with the Destiny Theatre Company will be James Baldwin’s “Blues for Mister Charlie” from April 15 to 30. Directed by Hope Alexander, this play is based loosely on the case of Emmett Till, a young black man who was murdered in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman.
The youth theater will present “The House at Pooh Corner” from May 6 to 22, and this summer “Rent” and “Hairspray” are coming to the Circle Stage and Main Stage, respectfully.
Whether you have seen the slinking cat-nature of the late Elizabeth Taylor in the role of “Maggie the cat” or not, be sure to visit our local theatre and their answer to what the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof truly is.
Tickets are $10 to $25 and may be purchased online or through the box office at 267-8534. For online tickets, show times and more information about “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” or other Theatre Centre plays, visit www.theatrecentre.com.