James Earl Jones To Take Centre Stage in Award - Winning Production

JAMES EARL JONES TO TAKE TO STAGE IN AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION “CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”
Novello Theatre, London
1st December 2009

The critically acclaimed smash hit Broadway production of Tennessee Williams’s “CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF” is set to open in London this winter with legendary actor James Earl Jones leading the all-star cast. The show, which enjoyed a sell out run on Broadway last year with an all black cast,” will open at the Novello Theatre on Tuesday 1 December, following previews from 21 November. The limited season will finish on Saturday 10 April 2010.

As on Broadway, the cast will be headed by Tony Award winners James Earl Jones as ‘Big Daddy’ and Phylicia Rashad as ‘Big Mama’. Joining them will be Olivier Award winner Adrian Lester and Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, starring as ‘Brick’ and ‘Maggie’ respectively.

James Earl Jones, best known for voicing Darth Vader in Star Wars, has had a glittering acting career on stage as well as screen winning Tony Awards as ‘Best Actor’ for his performances in August Wilson’s “Fences” and “The Great White Hope”. Phylicia Rashad starred in the Broadway production of “August: Osage County” and won a Tony Award as ‘Best Actress’ for her role in “A Raisin in the Sun”. A two-time Emmy Award nominee, she is most famous for her role as ‘Clair Huxtable’ in “The Cosby Show”. Adrian Lester is best known for playing con-artist ‘Mickey Bricks’ in the BBC TV series “Hustle”, in addition to film successes including “Primary Colors”, “love’s Labours Lost” and “Spider-Man 3”. His stage work includes an Olivier Award-winning performance in “Company”, “Hamlet”, “Henry V” and “As You Like It”.

Sanaa Lathan played ‘Michelle Landau’ in the television series “Nip/Tuck” and her many film roles include starring opposite Denzel Washington in “Out of Time”. She also starred in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun” for which she received a Tony Award nomination for ‘Best Performance by a Featured Actress’.

“CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF”, as on Broadway, will be directed by Debbie Allen, renowned Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning director, actor and choreographer, most recognised for playing Lydia Grant in the original film and television series of “Fame”. Two-time Tony Award nominee, Allen made her Broadway debut in the 1970 production of “Purlie”. Allen has directed television and film including “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, “A Different World”, “The Jamie Foxx Show”, and “Family Ties”. In her Broadway directorial debut, Allen led the 2008 revival of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.


For further information please contact:
Hannah Paul
Outside Organisation
or 020 7436 3633


NOTES TO EDITORS

“CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF” will be produced in London by its Broadway producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones. Performances at the Novello Theatre will be Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £10.00 - £49.50, are available from the Novello Theatre Box Office on 0844 482 5170 or by visiting http://www.catwestend.com or http://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk.

The Novello Theatre Box Office will open on Monday 8 June.

Further casting will take place in London over the summer.