Early & Blake Join Neighborhood Playhouse's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, Opens 7/9

Kathleen Early* will step into the iconic role of Maggie ‘The cat' Pollitt in the Los Angeles revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at The Neighborhood Playhouse, running July 9-26. Reserved tickets are $22-28 and are available by calling 1.800.595.4849 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

Early's New York and National Credits include the Broadway revival of STEEL MAGNOLIAS with Delta Burke and Christine Ebersole, ‘Honey' in Anthony Page's acclaimed revival of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, starring Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin, and Edward Albee's original production of THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY.

Joining Early will be Aaron Blake* (UK Tour of RUMBLE FISH, SESSIONS at the Finbourough Theatre in London) as Brick Pollitt and Michael Prohaska* (L.A. Premiere productions of PARADE and OUR LEADING LADY) as Big Daddy Pollitt.

Rounding out the principal cast will be Nadya Starr* (Big Mama), Mark A. Cross* (Gooper), Jennifer L. Davis* (Mae), Beverly Oliver (Sookey), E Fé (Lacey), Gordon Wells* (Reverend Tooker), Chris O'Connor (Dr. Baugh), Hannah Kreiswirth (Dixie) and Cate Conroy (u/s Maggie / Mae)

*denotes member Actors Equity Association

One of the most acclaimed productions of the 20th century, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF tells the drama of seething passions that beset a wealthy Southern family whose lives are stripped of pretense in a shattering moment of revelation. The piece was an instant phenomenon during its original Broadway run starring Barbara Bel Geddes, Ben Gazzara and Burl Ives, with subsequent Broadway revivals starring such acclaimed actors as Elizabeth Ashley, Kathleen Turner, Ashley Judd and James Earl Jones. A film adaptation in 1958, starring ElizaBeth Taylor and Paul Newman, was nominated for 6 Academy Awards ©.

Schwind, who is also slated to direct the production, speaks about the project. "Tennessee Williams is perhaps the name most singularly associated with great American Theatre. It has been a goal from the very beginning of The Neighborhood Playhouse's formation to someday present one of his works, which are, quite rightfully, carefully guarded by Williams's estate.

When the opportunity arose for us to present CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, we knew we had to jump on it. It's a brilliant, timeless, enormously popular piece that is all too rarely performed in Los Angeles and in particular, in the South Bay, where it hasn't been seen in twenty years. We are honored to be chosen to present this iconic classic, and know audiences will be shocked, moved and enticed by the story of ‘Maggie, ‘Brick,' and ‘Big Daddy' all over again in this exciting new production, made all the more electric by the intimacy of The Neighborhood Playhouse‘s unique performance space.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF is produced by Suzan Fairchild and Karin L. Frasier.

Performances are held at the historic Neighborhood Church, where The Neighborhood Playhouse is in residence: 415 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274.

As a special early promotional offer, tickets to select performances are 50% off when purchased before May 31st. Use discount code ‘Maggie' at the time of check out.

Group Sale offers are available to parties of 10 or more. Additional ticket information may be obtained at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net or by contacting sales@neighborhoodplayhouse.net