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

[RobbO]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 12:29pm

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.

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

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 12:35pm

i'm anxious to see it as i have enjoyed some of the leads' movie roles and have also never seen Beatty live. i do think Patric has intensity on screen, but i know the use of close-ups can really show what a naturalistic actor is trying to convey, while on stage that same effect is lost. i do find all three leads very naturalistic, so their challenge in this admittedly dramatic piece would be quite interesting. i don't know that theatre well but would guess all three might be better served by a more intimate actor/audience relationship. i've always liked CAT and would love to see it staged in the round. Some productions of all Williams' plays rely on theatrics rather than the true beauty of the language, and a more intimate environment might reveal some insights into the characters rather than repeating the film's truly wonderful performances.

[RobbO]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 12:40pm

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.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 12:49pm

I am looking foward to seeing Cat on a Ho Tin Roof, but I prefer to see shows after they have officially opened. Though it's enjoyable to see how much a show can grow from first previews to opening night, I do not see many shows in previews if I do not intend on seeing them again. I did see Gypsy during previews, but that was a decision I made knowing that I already had tickets for after it opened. Right now I would really like to see Taboo, but I will wait until previews are over. I did the same thing with Wicked. I couldn't wait to see it, but I didn't want to be dissapointed by a show that wasn't ready to open yet. Now I am going to Wicked's opening night, and I am thrilled.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 12:53pm

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

[RobbO]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 1:24pm

robbiej,
the lack of heat and sensuality is certainly part of it. as much as i like jason patric as an actor and as sexy as he was in the play, he was lacking sensuality. the humour he had down pat but the cool intensity was, indeed, missing.

[tpdc]

Posted: 10/29/03 at 1:42pm

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.

[RobbO]

Posted: 10/30/03 at 1:40pm

any other thoughts?