Montana Repertory Theatre: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

"Of all the dramatists now writing in English, Mr. Williams is the one who gives the most complete theatrical experience to his audience... One can't escape it: it exercises to the full the magic that is exclusive to the theatre." - E. Martin Browne, 1958

"A stunning drama, the quintessence of life. It is the basic truth. As theatre, it is superb." - The New York Times

Passion, hypocrisy, substance abuse, betrayal and the inexplicable bonds of family all come to dysfunctional life at Farthing Auditorium as Appalachian State University's Performing Arts Series presents the Montana Repertory Theatre performing Tennessee Williams' classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a play about vital and vibrant characters trapped in a repressive society that fosters a lack of communication, leading to unavoidable and unbearable loneliness. This is the story of the Pollitts, an affluent Southern family that reunites at their Mississippi mansion to celebrate the birthday of the family patriarch, Big Daddy. Underneath the lovely exterior of this idyllic Southern family lie deceptions that threaten to tear it apart. Big Daddy Pollitt is dying of cancer, a fact that his family is concealing from him, while secretly struggling for control of the Pollitt inheritance.

Williams' enduring tale of family and forgiveness, love and loss was written in the mid-twentieth century but still rings true. In fact the themes of the play are perhaps more pertinent today than ever. The emerging power of women, the fear of openness in personal matters, and the mendacity of the powerful are all themes that resonate today. Before there were Desperate Housewives, there was Maggie the Cat; before there was Tony Soprano, there was Big Daddy; and before Survivor, there was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Tennessee Williams is America's great Southern playwright. Winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, he authored 25 full-length plays, dozens of screenplays, two novels, sixty short stories and over a hundred poems during his illustrious career.

The Montana Repertory Theatre specializes in bringing new life to classics of the American stage by bringing new vitality and vision to time-honored material. In the past two decades, Montana Repertory Theatre has only featured Tennessee Williams twice. To commemorate a quarter century since his death, the Montana Repertory Theatre is celebrating William's legacy by touring his acclaimed 1955 drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

After the performance, members of the Montana Repertory Theatre invite the audience to a post-performance Q & A session from the stage.

This performance does include strong language and is not recommended for children under the age of 10.

Late seating policy applies.