http://www.theatredowntown.net/

Silly me didn't take the program, so I don't have the cast names, but they were terrific. Maggie the Cat was sultry, sexy and mastered the complex emotions with ease. So much so that even Mark was captivated-and that's hard to do. She made you believe she was a 50's Southern wife just trying to stay afloat and maintain her husbands love. Many of the scenes between Maggie and Brick made you feel uneasy with tension and anxiety for their "marriage-gone-wrong". There was this constant uncomfortable-ness that made the ending all the more sweeter when she managed to coax brick into her bed after lying to big daddy that she was already pregnant.

Big Daddy was really "big" he filled out the character both physically and commanded the audience with his voice and presence. His monologues were heartfelt and real, and one could relate with his joy of being cancer-free. His epiphany that he really doesn't care much to give his money to the poor in Barcelona was a clear metaphor for the greed and excess of today. The actor brought this point home well. Big Momma was also a strong character and reminded me of my Aunt Dot. Not only that she looked exactly like her, but I could see my Aunt acting in the same way if faced with the same revelations.

Mae was probably the weakest character, or at lease that is what Mark said. I don't know if I fully agree, I mean she certainly made me hate her, which was the goal. Some of her whining was a bit forced, and Mark commented that her accent floated between a Fla accent and one of the deep south. But she played an admirable antagonist to Maggie the Cat.

Theatre Downtown did a great job of designing the set. This was probably the nicest set I have seen them do. I really looked like a room in a southern plantation home. All white with large windows and a verandah. Well done TD.