BlackVoices.com has learned that the recent hit Broadway play, 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,' will have new life on television and overseas.Producer Stephen Byrd confirmed that negotiations are underway for his all-black production of the beloved Tennessee Williams classic to be made into a TV movie ala 'A Raisin in The Sun,' which was re-imagined for the modern-day small screen after its sold-out 2002 Broadway run starring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan. The Kenny Leon-directed tele-film garnered two Primetime Emmy Award nominations this season.
Just this past spring, 'Cat on A Hot Tin Roof,' directed by Debbie Allen and starring a top-notch cast including Tony Award winners James Earl Jones, Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard, became the toast of the Broadway box-office after playing a strictly limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Amid mixed reviews from mainstream theater critics, audiences from across the country flocked to the show – due in large part to aggressive grassroots marketing efforts and strong word-of-mouth support."This Cat has more than 9 lives," Byrd told BlackVoices.com. "We've survived a lot of battles, and doubters; a certain tabloid reviewer tried to torpedo us with a long negative story about how naïve we were, ruining a great American classic, bringing in a choreographer (Debbie Allen) after Kenny Leon got fired to take over; got snubbed by the Tony [Awards] and still became one of the biggest grossing plays on Broadway."
"We were vindicated and validated by the most important voters of all the theater-going ticket buyers and their enthusiastic response to our 15 year journey," he continued.
Byrd, who expertly worked closely with the late playwright's tight-knit estate to bring the ambitious project into fruition, tells us that for the telefilm, 'Raisin' producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are on board.
Zadan and Meron are the team behind mega-successful Broadway musical adapted films such as 'Hairspray' and 'Chicago' and recent TV movie versions of 'The Music Man,' 'Annie' and 'Cinderella,' which starred Whitney Houston and Brandy.
While Byrd's plans for an all-black version of another American classic are still in motion, 'Cat's' new incarnations are the major priorities for the Philadelphia born former Wall Street executive.
Production is tentatively slated for New Orleans shoot with all original cast members expected to sign on within the coming weeks.
Premium cable channel Showtime will likely premiere the film, in tandem with Sony Entertainment, at the top of next year.
Allen, 58, previously starred on the television show, 'Fame,' and has directed various projects for the small screen, including episodes of 'A Different World,' 'Everybody Hates Chris' and 'Family Ties.' A Tony Award nominee, she also helmed the telefilms 'Stomping at the Savoy' and 'The Fantasia Barrino Story.'
'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' will also see itself transferring across the pond, Byrd added. A London run is also in the pike, for next year, with Jones and Rashad on board. Black British movie stars Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor are being eyed to stand in for the roles of Maggie The Cat and Brick, respectively.
Earlier this year, Ejiofor won the Olivier Award for his critically acclaimed performance in 'Othello.'
1. "Production is tentatively slated for New Orleans shoot with all original cast members expected to sign on within the coming weeks."
Uhhh, there is a very good chance this is a false statement. "Expected" may be correct, but expectations should be low
Kinglywarrior at 10:48AM on Sep 10th 2008