A REVIEW OF THE BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL

BY Donjhannae Harris, junior, Teachers Preparatory High School

Secret passions and greediness are tearing apart a very wealthy family living in Mississippi in Tennessee Williams' play, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, currently playing on Broadway. This all African-American production boasts an all-star cast, including James Earl Jones, Terrence Howard, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose. When I first saw the cast, I couldn't believe my eyes, having seen all of these people on television or film before, some of whom have been acting since before I was born.

In Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, the family gathers together to celebrate the birthday of patriarch Big Daddy, but they are devastated to find out that he has been diagnosed with malignant cancer and doesn't have long to live. The family chooses to keep this diagnosis a secret from Big Daddy. Meanwhile, everyone tries to get on his good side before he dies to ensure they will be well-placed in his will. But there is only one person in particular Big Daddy wants to have his land, and that is his alcoholic son Brick. Will this dysfunctional family be able to maintain itself after Big Daddy is no longer around?

 

"…I was given chills"

I was blown away during Act 2 when Big Daddy stated to his son Brick, "A human animal is a beast that dies." It seems as though he knows he is dying. Both father and son yearn for one another's love, but Brick's drinking complicates their relationship, especially as his alcoholism has so clearly ruined many aspects of his promising life. Along with the stubborn Big Daddy, Brick's sexy wife, "Maggie The Cat," also yearns for the love of her husband.

I was expecting a straightforward performance when I sat down at the theater, with the stereotypical "ohhhs" and "ahhhs" coming from the audience. Instead, I was given chills from the strong and demanding impact of the dialogue, and the firm attitudes of the actors, who truly made this play and its dysfunctional family, believable. This play is extremely intriguing, down to it's very core message, giving me a newfound perspective and concept of life: "Expecting death may be blind." And that is what Cat On A Hot Tin Roof has helped me to see.

 

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
by Tennessee Williams. o $26.50 student tickets day of performance. o Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44 St. www.cat2008onbroadway.com

 

A look at the new book, all about the inside workings of theater

By Sarah Abdallah, sophomore New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies

Are you interested in theatre? Then this new book, How Does The Show Go On? An Introduction To The Theater, is most certainly for you. This hardcover book gives readers a rare backstage pass to the theatre, specifically showing the process of putting together a successful Broadway performance. Upon opening up the attractive pages of this book, you will immediately see the engaging style that author Thomas Schumacher uses to inform readers about every aspect of the theater. Through a behind-the-scenes look at popular Broadway shows, the author introduces the essential cast of characters who take on interesting roles onstage and backstage. As you flip through the pages of this book, you explore all sorts of theatre tidbits, and the cool images and souvenir artifacts that this book includes gives readers a clear understanding of what it takes to put on a show. Some of the special items that you will find inside include an authentic Playbill program, a mock ticket to The Lion King on Broadway (it won't work to actually get you in, sorry), and a costume designer's sketchbook, all of which act as a guide to show readers what really goes into making professional theatre.

What really struck me when I first browsed through this book was the way it is structured. The cover of the book has two parts that you flip out from the center in order to open it, making me feel as if I was opening the curtain of a play, and getting ready to say "action!" Unlike any other book about theatre that I've seen, this not only has a unique design, but also is loaded with information that touches upon the many aspects of theatre in a creative manner. You will find explanations about the roles and responsibilities of the playwright, choreographer, stage manager, fight director, set designer, composer, usher, director, leading lady…and more. If you are new to the theatre experience, or want to add to your current knowledge, this book is what you need.

How Does The Show Go On?… informs readers of the preparation and procedures that go into putting on a show. While doing this, it also introduces tons of available career opportunities that do not just involve being an actor on stage. In fact, one of Schumacher's intentions is to convey to young theatre lovers that being involved in theatre does not necessarily mean acting, but can mean taking on all sorts of other roles that are crucial to making a show successful. Perhaps most importantly, within minutes of my first contact with this book, I felt the urge to go see a show!

How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater by Thomas Schumacher and Jeff Kurtti, is published by Disney Editions and is available at booksellers everywhere. - $20.