A classic of the modern American theatre will be performed April 8-10, as East Central University presents “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in the Chalmers Herman Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance set for Sunday, April 10.
“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” a 1954 play by Tennessee Williams, tells the story of two brothers and their wives facing the death of their 65-year-old father who has cancer. The play focuses on the younger brother, Brick, and his wife Maggie, whose relationship is on the rocks following the death of Brick’s best friend Skipper a few years earlier.
Williams reworked the play for 20 years, culminating in this final text for the American Shakespeare Festival production in 1974, with changes that satisfied his need and desire for a definitive text. Williams’ other classics include “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie.”
The production, under the direction of Dr. Richard Groetzinger, features senior Micah Cowan, from Ada, as Maggie the Cat; junior Keegan Buckaloo, of Sallisaw, as Brick; junior Josh Lukens, Lindsay, as Gooper, Brick’s brother; freshman Hattie Starry, Holdenville, as his wife Mae; junior Philip Newcomer, Ada, plays Big Daddy and senior Margie Beck, Redlands, Calif., plays Big Mama.
Also in the cast are junior Bessie-Meh Soh, of Singapore, as Lacey; senior Mckenzie Grigg, Lawton, as Reverend Tooker and senior Chad Woods, Stratford, as Doc Baugh. Children appearing include: Patrick Beck and Kayte Cruz, of Ada; Isabella Few and Hailey Hudson, of Stonewall and Preston Starry, of Holdenville.
Molly West, a junior from Ada, is the stage manager and Zach Smith, a freshman from Tulsa, is serving as assistant stage manager for the production.
The play contains adult language, so parental caution is advised.
Seats are limited, less than 100 per performance, so those planning to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets prices range from $10 for adults to free for ECU students, faculty and staff. To purchase tickets call the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center Box Office at 580-559-5751 (2 p.m.-4 p.m. weekdays) or to purchase tickets online go to ecok.edu/FineArts.
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