Cat On A Hot Tin Roof: Shut Out of Drama Desk Awards

1. While this 'Cat' production was certainly entertaining and had it's good moments...I can see why it was ignored by the Drama Desk committee.

Stephen Byrd and Debbie Allen applied the "Tyler Perry" treatment to this play and turned a classic drama into a comedy.

I have nothing against Tyler Perry but Tyler Perry and Tennessee Williams are TWO different people and their works are on different levels.

It's a shame that Debbie and Stephen didn't trust the material and the honed skills of her cast to do the work.

Nicole at 10:37AM on May 2nd 2008

2. WELL THAT'S OK, JUST BECAUSE SOMEHTING WASN'T NOMINATED DOES'T MEAN IT WASNT'T GOOD. THE TROPHY JUST SITS ON A MANTEL & GETS DUSTY ANYWAY.

NICHOLE at 9:25PM on May 3rd 2008

3. I went and saw this production. I enjoyed it, even though it was nearly 3 hrs long. Boris was not impressive to me. I wish I could have seen Terrance Howard in the role of "Brick."

robert at 7:20PM on May 4th 2008

4. This is so typical of the Drama Desk committee. Granted, Tennessee Williams subject matter in 'CAT',
is heavy in and of itself, particularly Brick's relationship with Big Daddy, and his need for his approval and of course Maggie's need to be loved physically( his injury prevented that). Nevertheless, the cast in this production are top notch. Although I have personal issues with Debbie Allen, I am glad that she was able, with the help of her sister, and James Earl Jones, to bring this piece to the Broadway stage. That is an accomplishment in and of itself. The Drama Desk committee are systemic racists, and always pass up quality Black productions and always hold those productions to intense scrutiny. They are never fair, and oftentimes if they have a bias against anyone associated with ANY production, they kick it to the curb. Even the white ones. They are a Broadway political hub. Hard to get into, as they close ranks. I wonder how many Blacks, if any are a part of that committee?
We must keep on making good stage, film, television, and all media productions. Telling our stories, making waves, celebrating our lives, strengths, joys, pain and victories!! The Drama Desk Award is not the pentacle of success. Only a pebble on the pathway toward it! KEEP THE FAITH, YA'LL!!!

cfortier at 2:51AM on May 6th 2008

5. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, was a great play and I enjoyed watching the cast and story unfold. Even though I didn't see Terrence Howard, Boris Kudjoe did well in his place. The play may have not received an nomination but if the sold out theatre and great fan fare is any constellation, they have already won an award. To see so many talented people was a wonderful memory for me.

Resheedah at 8:21PM on May 6th 2008

6. I haven't seen the play yet but, What do you expect from Racist People?? in the film industry we as Black People are intelligent, smart and can do anything we set our minds to do give us some Credits for our accomplishment.God is going to Bless us anyway that is all that matters Keep your heads up to Debbie Allen and all the cast I love you all. you are in my Prayers and I justdays away from seeing the play I was hoping to see my Cousin Terrence in the Drama. Nothing is going to take away our Happiness...Keep your heads up......... SOLDIER GIRL 125NYC

Soldier Girl at 11:17AM on May 7th 2008

7. Who is Tennessee Williams???????????

Vixen at 12:19PM on May 7th 2008

8. I haven't seen this play yet but I already know that there is some racism in place. A play with all those greats has to deserve something. Cat on a hot tin roof is an amazing play in itself. I bet if it started Tom hanks, Meryl Streep, and Keira Knightley it would have been nominated for something.

Paris at 3:04PM on May 7th 2008

9. #8 - the fact that you don't know who Tennesee Williams is speaks volumes of just how little education goes on in America.

Do you know who Toni Morris is? Maya Angelou?

ITS IS NOT UNAFRICAN AMERICAN TO KNOW EVERYTHING THE GREEK CLASSICS TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CLASSICS...

Educate yourself before you get on-line and become an embarassment.

Jowanda at 5:19PM on May 7th 2008

10. WHOA!!!!!! AGAIN NOT SURPRISING THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE THIS ......REMEMBER THE 11 NOMINATIONS THAT "THE COLOR PURPLE" THE FILM HAD AND IT DIDN'T WIN ONE BUT THEY CALLED THEMSELVES MAKING UP FOR THE SNUB BY AWARDING WHOOPI AN AWARD FOR THE GARBAGE ROLE SHE HAD IN "GHOST" PEACE

JOE COOL at 10:52PM on May 7th 2008

11. Come now my people, don't act surprised. Whitey has hated us for how long now???

NA-NA-NA-NA-BOO-BOO at 11:47PM on May 7th 2008

12. The important thing is that the play made money and enticed black people to come out to the theatre. This will ensure that more black productions of high quality material continue to be produced/performed. We all know as black folk, that many times we are left out in the cold when it comes to being recognized by the white majority. That's okay because the play will be acknowledged during the next NAACP Image Awards.

@Jowanda
You should go a little easy on Vixen for not knowing Tennesse Williams. There are alot of white folk who are not familiar with aspects of African American history.


Remember, it was only recently that Phylicia Rahsad was the first African-American woman to win the tony award for best actress in a dramatic role. You know that means it will be a looooong time before white folks in the theatre are gonna feel like doing that again. The Academy Awards only recently began awarding blacks back-to-back awards. Prior to that we would have to wait 10-20 yrs. in between awards. Unfortunately, the "Great White Way" has not yet caught-up with Hollywood.

Mike at 1:34AM on May 8th 2008

13. Jowanda, why so mean? Vixen was simply asking a question. You had the perfect opportunity to educate someone, but you chose to put them down. Why? There is NEVER a stupid question if someone honestly doesn't know and is willing to learn. So, next time please don't be so harsh and answer the question in a nice manner without insulting people. What would Jesus have done?

sasha at 3:05AM on May 8th 2008

14. I'd like to add to the comment made by #2. Just because a play IS nominated doesn't make it a great play either. The same holds true for film. "Talk To Me" starring Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Taraji P.Henson was an excellent film with an excellent cast, an excellent script, an excellent director, an excellent score, excellent costume design and rave reviews. Yet it was totally shut out of the Oscars.

JAZZMAN11 at 5:27AM on May 8th 2008

15. I still remember when 'A Soldier's Story' was ignored by the Academy Awards, which incidentally was the last time I watched the Oscar ceremonies. Adolph Ceaser was fantastic and the subject matter still applies today. There are some things that are still 'Off-Limits' to us but those things will either open up or fade from existence.

Uriah Jordan at 2:35PM on May 16th 2008