"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opens Brookfield's 60th Year!

BROOKFIELD THEATRE CELEBRATES ITS 60th ANNIVERSARY

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof --- Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer-prize winning drama will be brought to life again by the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts as it begins its gala 60th season. Acclaimed for its outstanding productions of popular plays and musicals, the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts continues to provide its audiences with compelling dramas and entertaining comedies, as it has since 1957.

This year’s inaugural production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was considered by critics and Williams himself to be among his finest works. Set in the Mississippi Delta mansion of “Big Daddy” Pollitt, a wealthy cotton tycoon, the house also includes his son Brick and Brick’s wife, “Maggie the Cat”, and others. Beneath the gaiety of Big Daddy’s birthday party for which the family has gathered lie dark undercurrents of avarice, sexual desire, unrequited love and longing.

The play is directed by Jeanine DeFalco who returns to the area after a 3 year break during which she earn her PhD from Columbia University. It features Anne Fagan (Constanze in "Amadeus" at Downtown Cabaret) as Maggie, James Wilding ("Almost Maine" at Newtown's Town Players Little Theatre) as Brick, Will Jeffries (retired professional with extensive credits including “ER”, “Matlock”, “General Hospital”) as Big Daddy and Monica O’Brien (Ouiser in Brookfield's well-received production of "Steel Magnolias") as Big Mama.

The impressive cast also includes Christopher Cooney (Gooper), Anya Caravella (Mae), Francis A Daley (Doc Baugh), Jeffrey Rossman (Rev. Tooker) and three servants played by Kate Valiska, Morgana Kate Watson, and Nicole Veach.

The theater, originally named the Country Players of Brookfield, has an illustrious history. Among its notable offerings over the years is the first reading of a play, Zoo Story, by a young playwright named Edward Albee. Many of the young actors who debuted on the Brookfield Theatre stage have gone on to professional careers and several established professoinals have donated their time in various ways throughout the years.

To commemorate its 60th season the theater has been revitalized with a lobby that will also serve as an art gallery, a new stage and technical equipment, as well as added amenities for the actors and the audience.

The opening performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is Friday, March 3rd at 8 pm (a free performance for seniors will precede it on Thursday, March 2nd) and includes a gala reception after the show. Performances continue on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm through March 18th, with a matinee on Sunday, March 12th at 2 pm.

Tickets are $20 general admission or $15 for students and may be purchased at the box office or online at www.brookfieldtheatre.org.

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Photo credit: Stephen Cihanek

Photo captions:

Cat-1.jpg – Big Daddy (Will Jeffries) confronts Brick (James Wilding) about his drinking

Cat-2.jpg – It's Big Daddy's birthday! Rev. Tooker (Jeffrey Rossman) looks for a donation, Mae (Anya Caravella) and Gooper (Christopher Cooney) think about their inheritance, and Big Mama (Monica O'Brien) tries to keep the mood jolly as a servant (Nicole Veach) presents Big Daddy (Will Jeffries) with his birthday cake.