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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Also see Bill's 2014-2015, a Season Reminiscence
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of the author's two Pulitzer Prize winning plays (A Streetcar Named Desire is the other). This production is anchored by two fine performances, Rafael Petlock as Brick the favored son and Kathryn Parks showing her acting chops as his wife Maggie "the cat." Mr. Petlock's performance perfectly captures the physicality of his character, who is on crutches due to a recent ankle injury. He never moves without the crutches unless they are denied him and shows every ounce of the pain he feels when something goes wrong. Also, he demonstrates a very interesting way of putting the crutch under his leg and resting the ankle on it when he tries to get comfortable. Ms. Parks, brilliant earlier in Violet and a solo cabaret show, demonstrates fine acting talents as Brick's vixenish wife, from a poor family and with no intention of ever returning to that financial state. Allen Kretschmar as Brick's father Big Daddy captures the family man trying desperately to hold his family together, but misses the undercurrent of ferocity that made him financially successful. Lynne Doyle as his wife Big Mama makes us understand the love/hate relationship they share. Ross Boehringer (also responsible for the fine costumes) and Lauren Ward offer good support as Brick's brother and his wife. Direction by Elliott Raines is excellent, character relationships are clear, partially from his astute blocking. The production takes place on a spare (door frames but no doors or walls) but beautiful set by William Narrs. Costumes by Mr. Boehringer help define time, place, and financial standing. Lighting design by Bill Najmy is on the same high level as all the other technical aspects. It is wonderful to be able to visit classic American plays when they are performed so well. I had never seen Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on stage before. Thank you Two Chairs Theatre Company. Two Chairs Theatre Company presents Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, through September 13, 2015, at The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL. Box Office (941) 365-2494. For more information visit www.theplayers.org. Cast: Director: Elliott Raines
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