Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Analog Artist Digital World

Tennessee Williams‘ Pulitzer prize-winning “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” opened Friday, March 21, at Orlando’s Mad Cow Theatre 54 W. Church St., Orlando FL.

I went to a dress rehearsal on March 18th. In the classic story, secrets push a family to the brink during a memorable evening. Wealthy Southerner Big Daddy is celebrating his 65th birthday among his passionate and greedy family. Son Brick (David Jachin Kelley) is a hunky former football hero married to sexually frustrated Maggie (Summer Dawn Wallace). Meanwhile, son Gooper, a lawyer, had his eye on the family fortune. Also featured are Ron Schneider, Karel K. Wright, Amanda Leakey, Stephen E. Middleton, Tommy Keesling and Michael G. Knight. Bobbie Bell directed.

Brick got drunk and tried to relive his former football glory days at the high school stadium where he managed to break his leg. His wife Maggie was all a flutter talking about family and those “no neck brats” of the sister in law. Summer Dawn Wallace was exceptional in the role as Maggie. She gave the character some teeth like a wild animal cornered in a conflict. Her affections toward Brick were always rebuffed. He spent the show sipping drinks until he felt “that click” which is the moment when he finally had enough.

The show absolutely had me mesmerized. Big Daddy had health troubles and the family felt the need to protect him from the truth. Family buzzed around him trying to ingratiate their way into the family fortune. Brick was the favored son but Big Daddy could see his addiction to the bottle. There has been much talk lately about the Mad Cow Theater having financial troubles. However this show proves that the theater is committed to staging exceptional productions.

I stopped by Snap (Cameo Theater, 1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl ) on the day before my retrospective exhibit went up. The gallery was open till 4pm. Emily Jordan and Diana Rodriguez were working as interns at the front desk. This was the last day that “Flight” was on display. As I sketched the last of the arts patrons explored the gallery. Three pieces of drywall proclaimed the gallery’s mission statement: Contemporary, Creative and Spontaneous. Patrick Kahn, the gallery’s founder had to step out.

Diana’s son, Josiah Portillo, stopped in and hung out for a while. As he and Diana talked, he decided to water the potted orchid on the reception desk with his bottled water. He then headed out to hang with some friends in the park. Diana offered him some money in case he wanted a snack but he said he would be fine.

I discovered later from Holly Kahn, that the lamp on the reception desk was from her son Luke‘s room. Emily and Diana were chatting and getting to know each other. Emily is a photographer who takes society shots for a local magazine. Diana is an actress and avid supporter of the arts. When she discovered that Emily had never been to the Fringe, she excitedly explained what the Fringe is all about. Diana suddenly shrieked and stood up. A large puddle had mysteriously formed and was spreading across the table. They both quickly removed books, paper and art. The potted orchid was leaking. Diana put the potted plant on the floor as they mopped up the spill. “How much water did Josiah put in this plant?” Diana said. On the floor the plant was still gushing out water.

Disaster was averted since the angle of the table made the puddle flow away from the art and papers on the desk. Just when things returned to normal, Patrick came back and the women were free to go home. Diana told me about a dress rehearsal for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, which I will be sketching next week. Patrick explained to me that she is one of the most active supporter of the arts that he knows.

Mark your calendar and come on out to the opening of my retrospective showing of sketches of Orlando on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at the Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl). The show will remain open through April 17th.