"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in DC

I saw this Cat production about two weeks ago. I liked it very much and have to say that George Grizzard did a wonderful job as Big Daddy. He was really powerful and the second act totally belongs to him. Dana Ivey as Big Mama was kind of funny but you really felt sorry for her because Big Daddy's dismissive contempt comes across very clear. Emily Skinner and T. Scott Cunningham as Mae and Gooper were not bad and did the best they could with their smaller roles. Then there is Jeremy Davidson who was convincing as Brick.

Mary Stuart Masterson was the reason I went to see this play and she didn't disappoint me. Of course I was biased as a fan of her. She definitely created her own Maggie. Some reviewers think she plays a rather hard Maggie and that her portrayal lacks Maggie's sexual desire. That really didn't bother me at all. But she also portrayed that character with wit and sarcasm. I personally was very entertained by her portrayal. I was amazed how much dialogue Maggie has in act I. The same goes for Big Daddy in act II.

There are little parallels between Maggie and Luisa Contini (Nine - The Musical). Both women have to fight for their husband's attention.

This was my first "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" production I saw so I had nothing to compare. At least I read the script before I went to see it so I had a clue about it.

Like Emily said... people have a preconcieved notion of Maggie's sexuality based on Liz Taylor's portrayal in the movie (ewww). Mary definitely had a sensuality about her... but she didn't play on her sexuality. She kind of made Maggie use it as a weapon... which is why she could be considered to come off 'hard' in the role, but I thought it was a really good choice. I REALLY enjoyed her take on the role and I went in skeptical.

Who I DIDN'T enjoy was Dana Ivey. She went for EVERY laugh and I was not impressed.

I have to run but I will elaborate later... I enjoyed the production over all (saw it yesterday... woo woo).

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