Allen Directs African-American 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' 2008

The previously announced Broadway run of the African-American production of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Debbie Allen, will hit Broadwawy beginning the week of February 11, 2008 at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. This production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is being presented by Tin Cat Productions and produced by Stephen Byrd. Cast will be announcing soon.

"Hypocrisy, greed and secret passions threaten to tear apart a wealthy but dysfunctional Mississippi family in Tennessee Williams' stunning American masterpiece. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof searingly portrays the larger-than-life characters of Maggie 'the Cat,' her alcoholic husband, Brick, and the dominating family patriarch, Big Daddy," explain press notes.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has been revived on Broadway several times before, but this production marks the first African – American production approved by William's estate for the Broadway stage. 

The Box Office opening date will be announced soon. For details visit www.Cat2008onBroadway.com

Debbie Allen, Artist in Residence for over ten years at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., has created six original musicals with James Ingram, Arturo Sandoval and Diane Louie. Pepito's Story (1996), Brothers of the Knight (1997), Soul Possessed, Dreams (2000) Pearl 2001 and Dancing In the Wings (2005). In December 2006, Debbie Allen debuted her musical stage production, The Bayou Legend at the Glorya Kaufman Hall, UCLA. In April 2007 Ms. Allen will premier Alex in Wonderland, a musical which explores the relevance of fairytales to a 13 year old boy, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..

Allen holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards a record ten times, six in consecutive years. Directed and choreographed for legendary artists Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Gwen Verdon, Lena Horne and Sammy Davis Jr. to name a few.

Allen received the Golden Globe for her role as "Lydia Grant" in the hit series, "Fame," A three time Emmy Award winner for Choreography , the series "Fame," and The Motown 25th Anniversary Special. 

Debbie Allen made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Purlie.  She created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award winning musical Raisin, and in the 1979 definitive revival of West Side Story she received the prestigious Drama Desk Award, as well as her first Tony Award nomination.  Allen received her second Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her performance in the title role of Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity.  In 1988 Debbie went behind the scenes of the theatre to choreograph the new American musical Carrie with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Photo: Debbie Allen