MAGGIE THE CAT
The first of three acts belongs to Mary Stuart Masterson
who, as Maggie, burns with a passion and sense of desperation in the
face of her husband's passionless degeneration and neglect. Masterson
masters the trick required by Williams stage directions in which he
says "her voice is both rapid and drawling . . . always continuing a
little beyond her breath so she has to gasp for another." She uses
this seeming idiosyncrasy as a spring board for demonstrating the
unique mixture of regret, passion, pride and love that makes Maggie
such a compelling character. The depth of feeling established in her
first act gives her the basis for the strength she demonstrates in
the climax. She plays most of her scenes with Jeremy Davidson as the
disconsolate inebriate Brick, who drinks to get to the point where he
hears the "click" in his head that signals release from the pain of
memory. The role of Brick is always a difficult one for so much of it
is played in support for either Cat or Big Daddy but Davidson makes
it a solid presence throughout the entire
play.--www.potomacstages.com
THE KENNEDY CENTER
Claudia Kehl and I watched the play from the center section of the
orchestra seats. Claudia was in row C and I was in row D. For a
seating chart and an on-line tour of the Eisenhower Theater, click on
the "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" logo below.
GO SEE A PLAY OR LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC AT THE KENNEDY
CENTER ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC.
THE ARTS ARE FOR EVERYONE!
In the first act, Maggie (a surprisingly busty and
brunette Mary Stuart Masterson) works hard to engage Brick (Jeremy
Davidson) in the tasks at hand: producing an heir and staking a claim
in the family fortune. But the former football hero is more
interested in polishing off a bottle of whiskey, and babying the
ankle that he broke in a drunken spree the night before.
--Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade
Claudia got home to Switzerland after a rain-delayed layover in
New York. She immediately updated her Mary Stuart Masterson site with
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" articles and links. Drop in and say "hello"
to Claudia at her Web site by clicking on the link below. Part of the
enjoyment of the play was having some good company along to enjoy it
with, so if you find yourself in Washington, DC between now and July
4th, enjoy Maggie the Cat with family and friends.
CLAUDIA'S PLACE
