Variety states that Byrd is planning to make a film version of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' starring the all-black cast of his current Broadway revival, which has recouped its $2.1 million capitalization cost. Byrd said he had secured the rights to a new film version of 'Cat' from the estate of scribe Tennessee Williams and intends to begin lensing in 2009, subject to the availability of thesps Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose, James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad.
He added that he also has the rights to Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' for a potential multiracial pic adaptation.
Legit production of 'Cat' was shut out of the Tony noms this week, but investors can laugh all the way to the bank. Having paid back its initial investment, the show ends its extended limited run on June 22, allowing for more than a month of profit.
Byrd also said he is organizing a simulcast of a live performance of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' to be shown in Regal Cinemas nationwide.
Since previews began Feb. 12, sales for "Cat" have been unusually strong for a straight play thanks in large part to the star power of its cast. Grosses dipped when Howard departed temporarily to promote the pic 'Iron Man,' but after his May 6 return, weekly receipts last week bumped up $175,000 to $682,690.
'Cat' is the latest Rialto production to tap the African-American demo, which turned out for recent shows including 'The Color Purple,' 'A Raisin in the Sun' and the Denzel Washington starrer 'Julius Caesar.' Byrd estimated that as much as 70% of the revival's auds are black.
'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' centers on a tempestuous family gathering on the birthday of a Southern patriarch. Williams' 1955 play was made into a 1958 film that starred Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.
1. When James Earl Ray said, I can not bring ballot signing to the performance, I'd forgotten that Burl Ives sang and played guitar to the T.V. version of "Cat", when I was in 5th or 6th grade. That is when I first experienced Tennesee Williams' brilliant play. And since I am already familiar with the Excellent Quality of acting Mr. Ray does exzude, I knew he'd be bringing "IT" to this production. The ballot singing Does Not even matter to me. The star-studed cast is incredible and when I first learned of it's existance, on Broadway, I knew this was a Performance, I must not miss. The tickets are dated for a later date, then now, but I'd also love to be at the June 22nd finalle. Debbie Allen has always been a "Star" in my eyes, since the days of 'Fame!'. and least I mention Amistad. I was just one of the many hearts, to which Phylicia Rashad became ENDEARED through her 'Claire Huxtable', role. Terence Howard had only to walk on screen the very first time I "Fell" for his F-I-N-E looks, and then he could transform into whatever believable character he was portraying at the time too. Anika Noni Rose is the icing on the cake and to find all of this talent on one stage in a play which already has a 'Rep', is just enough of a carrot to dangle in front of me so that I am drooling until I sit in the audience. Thank you for this opportunity to express my love of theatre and these "Gifted" actors to/in my life and time.
Tina Hunter at 11:02AM on May 18th 2008