Maggie the Cat is.... Alive?!?

Has anyone else been to the production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" currently playing in previews? I am curious as to others' thoughts on the play. I saw the show last night and even though I am a big fan of the play, I found myself underwhelmed. I think there are a great deal of good elements of it - much stronger than the movie since it deals with the issues of homosexuality and profanity that the movies dangles with but never explores. Even so, I did not think that Ashley Judd or Jason Patric captured the same energy and conviction as Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in the 1958 movie.

Other than that, the staging was wonderful. The set well done and other elements added to the production but I just felt something was lacking - like the actors were holding back, or did not have the presence displayed by Taylor and Newman.

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Updated On: 10/29/03 at 12:29 PM

I agree with a lot of what you say. I was in the second row of orchestra (even though the first row is not really a row...) and still the actors did not have the intensity for me that I felt was so lacking.

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RobbO,

You liked it more than I did. I felt it was a production with little heat and sensuality. Williams' work is nearly operatic and if the actors can't 'sing', the beautiful language Tex was speaking of is lost.

By the way, I was shocked at the profanity in this production. The only version I know had Big Daddy say 'F*ck the preacher', but it certainly did not have the tirade that escaped Brick's lips. Unless, of course, Mr. Patric was improving. Always a wise choice with Williams

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I saw CAT staged in the round at Arena Stage here in DC a few years ago. Molly Smith, who staged the acclaimed revival of SOUTH PACIFIC last year that almost headed to NYC, did a great job. She staged it on a set that started in the theater basement and we saw the action on the top level which was Brick and Maggie's bedroom. Underneath them was a big family room and you could see some of the other characters there for Big Daddy's party. The supporting performers--Big Mama, Mae, Gooper-- were excellent and Peter Herrman (who understudied Michael Hayden in JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG) was an excellent and very hot Brick. Megan Gallagher was a cold Maggie and the actor who played Big Daddy was only OK. The design, the staging and the other performers managed to make the whole thing play. With Herrman as a strong Brick, it finally really seemed to be about him and neither Maggie or Big Daddy walked off with the show as they can in some productions.