PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Famed playwright Tennessee Williams sets ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ in the south and shows up the heat.
“The plot generally focuses on lying, deceit, and greed,” says Bernard Havard, Producing Artistic Director at the Walnut Street Theatre.
It dives deep into the relationships of a rich family.
Alanna Smith plays Maggie “the Cat” in the program.
“It’s a family handling somebody passing away,” says Smith. “It’s a play about succession.”
The program is directed by Bernard Havard who’s commemorating his 40th season at the Walnut Street Theatre.
Havard says concerns occur within the family since Big Daddy, played by Scott Greer, has actually not composed a will and he’s got at least $10 million in the bank.
“So the stakes are actually high,” says Havard.
Matthew Amira plays Brick, the previous football star and preferred boy.
“Brick sustained a loss. He lost his friend, Skipper,” says Amira.
Brick ends up being melancholy over Skipper’s death and Amira says his character then battles with “what it is to be manly.”
“And now he’s an outright alcoholic and Big Daddy attempts extremely tough to pull him out of his alcohol addiction,” says Havard.
Maggie, aka “The Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” is Brick’s partner.
“For Maggie, it has to do with a marital relationship on the verge of failure, and frantically attempting to wait,” says Smith of her character.
She explains Maggie as “confident” and “sensuous.”
“And Brick is sort of a monolith to lack in the play,” says Amira.
And member of the family are competing over the inheritance.
“Everybody’s attempting to get what they desire in the play,” says Amira.
Havard says it’s “remarkable” to enjoy the display screens of feelings that Williams has these characters go through which there are lots of lessons to be gained from this play.
“The primary lesson I believe is to enjoy, and to genuinely enjoy your partner, your family, and support them,” says Havard.
‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ runs February 14th, through March 12 at the Walnut Street Theatre.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof | Tickets
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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