SU Drama exposes many faces of love in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’

SU Drama exposes many faces of love in ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’November 05, 2007Erica Blustesblust@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Department of Drama brings to life Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” a rattling exploration of the psychology of denial and greed, Nov. 9-18 in the Storch Theatre, located at the Department of Drama/Syracuse Stage complex, 820 E. Genesee St. Timeless, beautifully written and profound, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is directed by drama faculty member Gerardine Clark.

“The play is an exciting investigation of love in all its forms, its pains, its dysfunctions and its will to triumph in the human spirit,” says Clark. “I don’t believe that anyone can watch the play without finding their own deepest questions in it.”

As night falls on the steamy Mississippi Delta, the well-to-do Pollitt family gathers to celebrate their grandfather, Big Daddy’s (portrayed by sophomore Kristian Rodriguez), birthday. The family estate, stretching for acres and cloaked in lacey Spanish moss, hums with seeming happiness: children dance, sparklers crackle, and paper hats wilt in the heavy southern heat.

But upstairs, Brick Pollitt (junior Chris Dall’au), the family’s oldest son and heir apparent, ignores the party and pours himself another highball, hoping this will be the drink that calms him, makes him “peaceful,” as he puts it. Once a golden boy and Ole Miss football hero, Brick’s mind now aches under the weight of secrets and lies. He drinks to soothe the ache — and hasten the end.

Gorgeous and manic, Brick’s wife, Maggie (junior Danielle Von Gal), escaped a life of miserable poverty by marrying into the wealthy and propertied Pollitt family. Her marriage to Brick was supposed to be a happy one, and her life, after a childhood of neglect, was supposed to be easy. But nothing has been easy since Brick’s best friend Skipper died. And now, as Brick drinks his own life away, his younger brother Gooper (John Farley) angles aggressively for the contested family fortune. Maggie’s future hangs on that inheritance, and she is as nervous, as fearful and as determined as a cat on a hot tin roof. Scenic design is by senior Holly M. Breuer, with costume design by junior Jenn Murray. Junior Michael Nardulli is lighting designer. Sound designer is Erin M. Ballantine ’01.

Tickets for the SU Drama production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” are $15 for the general public and $13 for students and seniors. Rush tickets are $7. Wednesday night performances are “Pay What You Can” nights and are valid for SU I.D. holders. For tickets and more information, contact the SU Drama Box Office at (315) 443-3275 or visit http://vpa.syr.edu/drama.