A Review of the Play, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at Baltimore Center Stage

Back in September, Baltimore Center Stage opened its new season (2018/19) with a bang with the premiere of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tennessee Williams still sizzled even after 63 years. This time it was directed by Judith Ivey and the set was designed by Adam Koch who captured the setting of a Southern (Mississippi) plantation with precision and charm.

Once I settled into my seat, I was entertained by a superb cast who transported me to the Pollitt’s house on a hot Southern night where family members clashed in greed and desire. I thoroughly enjoyed the play – superbly acted and great dialogue.

The main leading parts were played by real life husband and wife team: Andrew Pastides (Brick - an alcoholic ex-football player) and Stephanie Gibson (Maggie - his wife). Their chemistry on stage was hot despite Brick’s dismissal of his wife’s attempt at getting his attention. My other favorites were David Schramm who played the larger than life character – Big Daddy (who was dying from cancer) and Charlotte Booker who played his wife, Big Mama (who was kept in the dark about her husband's diagnosis).

What I really loved was that it tackled family issues of greed especially when family members learn that someone is dying and circle around like vultures to get their hands on the money. In the midst of it all was the exploration of a father and son relationship and the women who loved them. Great stuff!

Clap. Clap. Clap. Standing ovation. A must see if ever it comes through Baltimore again or if you are in a city where its playing.

Side note - This makes me want to watch the 1958 namesake movie with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor.

Excellent! Two thumbs up!

For those not familiar with this play, here’s the synopsis from Baltimore Center Stage's website:

In this enduring American classic, family ties and layers of lies collide over the course of one simmering Southern summer night. Themes of morality, greed, and desire play across the stage in this explosive drama about what can happen when illusions begin to unravel. Brick, racked with guilt over his best friend’s death, numbs his pain with drink. Maggie, his wife, is determined to win even fleeting attention from her neglectful husband. But when three generations come together to celebrate a birthday—and discuss a will—all of the players start to crack under the pressure and the heat. How long can tensions build in a house boiling over with uncertainty, secrets, and maybe even love?

Here are some photos:

Enjoy this trailer from YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ZkAaTqrJpco

players start to crack under the pressure and the heat. How long can tensions build in a house boiling over with uncertainty, secrets, and maybe even love?

Content Advisory: Themes of morality, greed, and desire make this steamy classic more suitable for high-school-aged audiences and up.

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