RTI Presents CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

Repertory Theater of Iowa will make a move to the historic Kirkwood building (4th and Walnut, downtown) for 11 performances of the Tennessee Williams classic, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. The play, which earnEd Williams the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1955, will mark the first production in the new home of the Des Moines Social Club, which moved from their old location on Locust Street. It also marks a return for RTI, which mounted their very first production (Eugene O'Neil's Hughie) in the lobby of the hotel in 2004. An opening night gala event is planned in cooperation with the DMSC and will include a champagne reception. 2011 marks what would have been Tennessee Williams' 100th birthday.

In Cat, a family celebrates the birthday of Big Daddy. But a number of evils poison the gaiety: greed, sins of the past, and desperate, clawing hopes for the future spar with one another as the knowledge that Big Daddy is dying slowly makes the rounds. Maggie wants to tell him that she's finally become pregnant by his son Brick. But Brick won't cooperate in her plans. Swarming around them are conniving relatives, all eager to see Maggie put in her place and Brick tumbled from his position of most beloved son.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is directed by RTI company member Mark Gruber and features the talents of ensemble members Tom Ahart (as Brick), Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw (as Maggie), Richard Maynard (as Big Daddy), Kim Grimaldi (as Big Momma), Joseph Leonardi (as Gooper), Kerry Skram (as Mae), John Earl Robinson (as Rev. Tooker), James Serpento (as Doc Baugh), and Donna Scarfe (as Sookey).

The Repertory Theater of Iowa is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization founded with the vision of creating a professional theater company of national prominence in Des Moines. RTI aims to gain a national profile by becoming an Actor's Equity affiliated theater and a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), joining more than 70 LORT theaters located in cities throughout the nation.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof performances:
April 29th through May 15th
7:30pm April 29, 30 and May 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14
2:00pm May 15 (matinee performance)

Performance Location:
The Kirkwood Building - corner of 4th and Walnut Streets in downtown Des Moines. Parking is available in the parking garage on 5th Street and Court Avenue. The Kirkwood is also located on the downtown skywalk system.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof tickets:
$25 Opening Night Gala (includes champagne reception), $17/$20 Adults, $15 Seniors (62+), and $10 Students. All seating is General Admission. Order advance tickets online at www.RTIowa.com or by phone at 515-244-2771. Tickets may also be purchased on location at the Box Office one hour prior to performance.