Beloved play seductively evokes life and lies in the Deep South
Secrets will be revealed and tensions will explode as members of one Southern family scramble to secure their slice of the inheritance pie from a dying patriarch in Avon Players’ production of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, running March 13-28.
Illness, alcoholism, deception, and family squabbles poison the mood as a family gathers to celebrate the 65th birthday of cotton tycoon Big Daddy. The family has kept Big Daddy’s impending death from cancer secret from him and from his wife, Big Mama. Maggie, Big Daddy’s daughter-in-law, wants to give him the gift of news that she’s finally become pregnant by his favorite son, ex-football player Brick, but first the mysterious rift between her and Brick must be unraveled. Though Maggie “The Cat” still burns for her husband, Brick, reeling from a friend’s recent suicide, only has eyes for the bottom of his whiskey bottle. Compounding Maggie’s dilemma is the fact that Brick’s malaise causes him to ignore his brother Gooper’s attempts to seize control of the plantation. Brilliant scenes of intense and gripping drama make this one of the most successful plays of our time famously adapted into the 1958 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.
Tickets for all shows are $16 ($14 on Sundays for students and Seniors). Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.avonplayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved. Show dates and times follow:
Friday, March 13 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15 2:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 2:00 p.m.
Friday, March 27 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 8:00 p.m.
Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theatre (plus free parking and concessions on a donation basis) a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a “downtown” venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 24% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website: www.avonplayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Brighton Township
Mike Olsem (“Big Daddy”)
Lake Orion
Dean Vanderkolk (“Gooper”)
Macomb
Jessica Braun (“Servant”)
Macomb Township
Richard Boykins (“Reverend Tooker”)
Oakland Township
Ayden Makar (“Buster”)
Ortonville
Little Jeffrey Monterosso (“Sonny”)
Joshua Monterosso (“Brick”)
Sandy Monterosso (“Maggie”)
Rochester
Betsy Labick (Producer)
Shelby Township
Jean Miller (“Big Mama”)
Jeffrey Monterosso (Assistant Director)
Chuck Thompson (Director)
Waterford
Joy Oetjens (“Mae”)
Zoe Oetjens (“Trixie”)
About Sarah Hovis