Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The Novello was presenting the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams with an all black cast. The plot revolves around the patriarch of a family who is dying and what will become of his estate. There is far more to it, including his son’s alcoholism and possible homosexuality. I did find it interesting to watch and listen considering Tennessee Williams went to the University of Iowa.

It was an interesting performance for various reasons.

Number One: James Earl Jones as Big Daddy who doesn’t show up until the second act. It creates this aura of mystery around the character as he is built up so much. His performance was filled with fire, passion, greed and hubris. It was an amazing performance with a lot of understanding and character development. I also found it interesting that the character would curse quite often. He had some pretty disparaging remarks to say about everyone in the family.

Number Two: the play is presented in real time. There were intermissions but once the play started up again, the actors were in their positions we last saw.
Number Three: all the performers were excellent, especially Adrian Lester as Brick, Big Daddy’s son. There were no weak performances.

Number Four: the crowd was quite unruly. On more than one occasion in the first act, cell phones went off and when they go off, they always go off for a while. Why is it that when phones go off at inappropriate times it is always some rap song like Flo Rida’s Low. Yes, that’s exactly what will add to the ambience of the theatre. “Shawty had them apple bottom jeans/ boots with the fur.” Yes. The couple sitting next to me were also lamenting at how it is disgraceful to have your cell phone on in a theatre.

Number Five: audience members showing up late. A large group of people showed up late and having people come in and shuffle about and make noise and see that they found their seats. God, that was annoying.

Number Six: the theatre itself was a bit annoying. I was up in one of the balconies. The ceilings were quite sloped. While I could still see quite well, it did make things quite claustrophobic at times.

All in all it was a quality show, strong performances all around and a truly involving human story.

Afterwards I went back to my hotel and fell asleep. Not much to tell. I did have a small blister on my foot from all the walking.