GRAND HAVEN, MICH. (September 24, 2024) – Central Park Players will present Tennessee Williams’s acclaimed drama “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” a personal favorite of the playwright, as their fall production. The play will run for five performances at Central Park Place in Grand Haven on October 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional matinee on October 12 at 1:30 p.m.
Hear the interview below.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is the cornerstone of Central Park Players’ 66th season, themed “Generations.” Aaron Ponce will make his directorial debut, supported by Riley Van Ess as assistant director and stage manager. Amber Ponce serves as the producer.
Set in a Mississippi plantation house, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” revolves around the Pollitt family as they gather to celebrate Big Daddy’s sixty-fifth birthday. The play explores themes of mendacity and deception as news of the patriarch’s terminal cancer diagnosis slowly spreads. Characters grapple with personal and societal expectations, revealing a complex web of self-deception and pretense.
Aaron Ponce chose this play for his directorial debut due to its compelling characters and rich dialogue. “These are vibrant, charismatic characters often criticized as unlikeable. I’ve always been drawn to flawed individuals, and this play offers an array of deeply flawed, yet fascinating, personalities,” Ponce said. “The characters face societal pressures that threaten their world, their love, and their fortunes.”
The cast features Sophie Anderson, William MacDonald, Becky Anderson, Jennifer Christman, Faith Fancher, Luke Ponce, Jessi Joy and Barry Huntington – a veteran of over ninety Central Park Players productions. Rounding out the cast are Priscilla Roma, Julianne Roma, and Lyric Ponce.
Addressing potential audience concerns about the play’s intense themes, Ponce noted, “While the play contains elements of anger, pain, and grief, it also provides an opportunity to confront the barriers that prevent us from facing our own truths and achieving happiness. Tennessee Williams’s portrayal of these struggles in the 1950s remains relevant today, showcasing his profound artistic and philosophical insight.”
Tickets are priced at $18, with a discounted rate of $12 for children, students (K-12), and seniors (65 & older). Tickets can be purchased at https://cpp.ludus.com or at the box office one hour before showtime.
For those interested in learning more about Central Park Players and exploring opportunities to get involved both onstage and offstage, the organization will host a social hour from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. The event will take place at Central Park Place (421 Columbus Ave) in the Escanaba Room. Community members are encouraged to attend, regardless of previous experience with Central Park Players or theatre. Complimentary snacks, drinks, and social games will be provided. Attendees will also have a chance to win a pair of tickets to “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and a show shirt.
About Central Park Players
Central Park Players is a community theatre organization dedicated to providing high quality performances at affordable prices to Grand Haven and the Tri-Cities area since 1959. Annually, the volunteer-run organization performs 4 regular season productions in addition to a family theatre musical and various social and educational events.
Learn more at centralparkplayers.org.
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