DEBBIE ALLEN: Bringing Her Black 'Cat' to Broadway

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

It's official.

Debbie Allen is coming back to Broadway.

It's not as an actress (like with 'Street Charity') or a dancer ('West Side Story') though; it's as director of an ambitious African-American spin on Tennessee Williams' classic 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.'

The BV Newswire has learned that the 'Fame' star will helm the much-buzzed about production, set to star performances the week of Feb. 11, 2008 at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre.

"I am thrilled to stand at the helm of this unique production as we navigate our way through Tennessee Williams' riveting and explosive American classic," Allen said. "Cat, said to be his favorite of his many plays, achieves a timeless coherence with its characters as they wrestle with the universal struggles of life, love, money, sex and death."The play, revolving around a wealthy and dysfunctional Missippi family, will be presented by Tin Cat Productions and produced yb Stephen Byrd, who said he has been on a 12-year journey to bring the show to Broadway. "It will truly be a historic presentation of a classic piece of theatre."

According to production spokesperson Joe Trentacosta, cast will be announced soon.

Debbie Allen

Allen, an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Drama Desk Award winner, is an internationally recognized director/choreographer/producer and actress. She made her Broadway debut in the chorus of 'Purlie' and created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award winning musical 'Raisin.' For her star tune in the 1979 revival of 'West Side Story,' she received the prestigious Drama Desk Award, as well as her first Tony Award nomination.

The 57-year-old Houston native, who produced Steven Spielberg's epic slavery drama 'Amistad,' holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards a record ten times, six in consecutive years.
The last Broadway production if 'Tin Roof' opened March 2004 at the Music Box Theatre. Directed by Anthony Page, the show starred Ned Beaty, Ashley Judd and Jason Patric.

The original filmed production of the play starred Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in 1958.

VIDEO: Debbie Allen Does Dreamgirls

Reader Comments

1. From A Debbie Allen Fan, "Welcome Back Debbie"! Under Your Direction, This Should Be A Big Success Just Like Your Acting And Dancing!
Instantly Turn your Computer into a Super TV!
http://www.television-on-internet.com

JC at 9:34PM on Nov 8th 2007

2. Love DA ever since Fame...I used to watch as a little girl and totally wanted to be her,,, it is nice to see her go back to her roots...

Debbie
www.DebbieDonovanTravel.com

Debbie at 10:57PM on Nov 8th 2007

3. A very talented woman! It's always good to see talent make a rebound.

Tsicar Ton M'i at 12:18AM on Nov 9th 2007

4. Debbie,If this is anything like your "Soul Possessed" that I played bass for in ATL,I know its gonna be Great...!!! Aye Terrence/Transcripts?....still would love to write some stuff with ya...Alliance has my contact info...currently in DC/Arena Stage...YOU GO GIRL..!!!...Chow..!!!

G.Grier at 10:06AM on Nov 9th 2007

5. I saw a blog of Joe Trentacosta on interracialsingleonline.com. where many users are discussing seriouly about her. it must be very interesting...u can go to check some more details there...

cindy at 8:21AM on Nov 10th 2007

6. BRAVO DEBBIE...IF ANYONE CAN DO THIS FILM ON BROADWAY I KNOW IT IS YOU! THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE NOSTALGIA FILMS! AS A YOUNG CHILD, I REMEMBER MY MOM AND AUNT GOING TO THE THEATRE TO SEE THIS FILM .

PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU DEBBIE ALLEN!!

Carlishia at 2:51PM on Nov 11th 2007

7. GO AHEAD DEBBIE ALLEN!! I will never forget as a child seeing you on the sitcom, "Good Times", when you played JJ's girlfriend, and boy, you had major talent then. I've followed your career thoughout the years and you make us(African Americans) proud of your talents and acomplishments. Continue Ms. Allen to DO YOU, like you have in the past, cause you, GOT IT GOING ON!! PS. Good luck the Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, the movie version is one of my favorites.

Mike at 4:27PM on Nov 11th 2007

8. i am surprise there has not been a black verson of "streetcar named desire" i read that marlon brando got his famous smouldering, dangerous swagger from watching young black men when he was in new york.

SCV at 6:16PM on Nov 11th 2007

9. I Commend Debbie Allen as the consumate Artist: Actress, dancer, Choreorgrapher,director, & producer. Thanks for making opprotunities for others, especially the for ones, who are not as renown as you.

Rocket at 7:56PM on Nov 11th 2007

10. it's great to see her back. She was great on fame. I haven't seen a picture of her in years. I'm reminded of how long ago that was when she was on fame. She has aged beautifully.

I can remember when Phelicia Rashad was the unknown one. I think now she's more well known that Debbie. Perhaps this production will change that.
http://www.freewebs.com/galleryshops/

Belinda at 3:14AM on Nov 12th 2007

11. A most accomplished woman and quite beautiful to go with it. Your show should be a really hot ticket on Broadway. Best of luck with it.

rex at 5:32AM on Nov 12th 2007

12. Bravo Debbie Allen. I love your work. I will love Cat. I enjoyed the movie starring E.Taylor and P. Newman. Watch it every time it is shown on television. I will see your production as well. Can't hardly wait!

Go Girl!

Sherry Hearn at 8:53AM on Nov 15th 2007

13. This is just another way to keep from doing plays written by and about black people. We have a whole canon of plays that deserve to be seen and done by us, but the pattern is now establishing itself by resurrecting white plays with black actors on Bway. It is a shame. And Debbie and Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington and Epatha Merkerson should ask themselves why they are doing it. It's a disgrace!

Ronald Lewis at 2:22PM on Nov 15th 2007

14. say ronald did you see RAISIN IN THE SUN ON BROADWAY WITH PUFFY? I GUESS NOT. Somebody else should have played that role. can we as black people support a play on BROADWAY long enough for it to make money. I DON'T THINK SO. WE ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

jarvis smith at 3:21PM on Nov 15th 2007

15. Friends "Cat on A Hot Ten Roof" was written about White Americans life in the South; not African Americans life in the South. The language in the play is not African American; every race on this earth has it's own uniqueness, and nothing can be done about that. When are black people going to stop begging for white people's 'LEFT OVERS.' The play is a classic without a doubt, but not about black life. However there are many great African American dramatist, who have written and had produced; many great works. Having said that, I doubt if you will ever see a white production of, "A Raisin In The Sun." Simply put it wouldn't make sense, as is with an African American production of, " Cat ON A Hot Ten Roof" I bet this play will not be a hit or prevail on Broadway. Come on friends, we have some of the most gifted people the world has ever known; so stop the waiting game and get creative.
THANK YOU!!

Rocket at 12:55PM on Nov 17th 2007

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