susan page freeman(Monday, 15 February 2010 19:58)

From a post I made on Indiana Auditions:
As I was preparing to leave my seat after today's performance, my friend asked "Do you ever watch a performance and wonder if you could have done better?" I assured him that I frequently wonder exactly that. But, I added, the better the cast, the less likely I am to wonder. And during the two hours that this production ran, not a single little quizzical crease crossed my brow. These people, this director, and this script deserve one another. Congratulations to Brian et al for a powerful show.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD: The last scene was evocative and sensual, despite Maggie's motivation for seducing Brick. Dammon just gave up, faced the fact that she had won. And Maggie, in heat as usual, was happy to win. Just plain ole powerful, folks. Thank you all.

Joseph E Boling(Monday, 15 February 2010 03:50)

Thursday 11 February 2010: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Carmel Community Players
At the intermission I told director R. Brian Noffke that his players were knocking this script out of the park. Unfortunately, the last act did not come across quite as strongly, so what I anticipated would be a standing ovation on my part got downgraded to an A-A+ (you can call that four and a half stars). Still, it was a great night in the theater.
The script has not been cleaned up (I can imagine how the F-bombs played in 1955 when it opened). And of course the sanitizing that the Paul Newman–Elizabeth Taylor movie had to undergo (expurgation of all hints of gay behavior) has not been applied to the stage version. So you may have some questions to answer from your teenage companions. Pre-teens probably won't enjoy it. They likely won't pick up the innuendos, and the long dialogues will bore them. Although there is a fair amount of physical activity (falling, throwing, tripping), it's hardly an action drama.
Damon Dennin's Brick opened as a copy of Paul Newman in his tone and demeanor, but after three or four scenes I was not hearing Newman any more - Dennin had turned the role into his own. LisaMarie Smith as Maggie was brilliant from my seat, but not credible from Louise's - you will have to make your own judgement. John Carver as Big Daddy turned in the best work I have seen him do - and I heard another audience member make the same observation. Carver says it's a role he has always wanted to do, and he nails it. Kari Ann Stamatoplos as Mae (Brick's fertile sister-in-law) is perhaps too sneering; I felt she overplayed a bit. Her husband, Gooper (Mark Kamish), holding his cards a little closer, comes across as more dangerous. Miki Mathioudakis plays Big Mama. She was a better Golda Meier, but she does not embarrass herself here. The five no-neck monsters are played by a duke's mixture of kids from the local theater community, and Bob Willsey and Jim Lucas provide the reverend and the doctor.
I have seen this live twice previously, both times in professional (though non-Equity) theaters. Carmel's production certainly beats the one from three years ago, and is at least equal to the one I saw in 1999. Checkmarks to Noffke for direction, and to Dennin and Carver. Double checks to Smith. Honorable mentions to Stamatoplos, Kamish, and Mathioudakis.
Closes 21 February. Highly recommended.

Beverly Fast Sinclair(Sunday, 14 February 2010 18:56)

I saw the play on Friday night, and was very impressed. The roles were very well cast, and the acting was wonderful. What a talented group of professionals! Thanks for putting on a poignant performance!

Phyllis Munro(Saturday, 13 February 2010 13:36)

I also saw this production on opening night and thought it was very well done! My daughter and I did the "Dinner And A Show" that CCP offers. We choose Kona Grill, and the food was amazing. I highly recommend you try the dinner and a show it is a savings of $10.00 for the evening. We both ordered the Salmon with sweet chili glaze, a bottle of wine and the crab crunch sushi appetizer! I already want to go back to Kona Grill!

On to the show, I thought this was John Carvers best performance! He is Big Daddy! The entire cast did a great job. Lisa Marie Smith is a striking girl to say the least, the majority of her performance is performed in a white slip on stage...you go girl! I also loved Miki Mathioudakis as Big Mama. I thought she was perfect...although not "BIG" by any means!
The set is beautiful. This is the second production I have seen at CCP, I love this theater...just wish it wasn't so far away for me.
Good luck with the run, we enjoyed it very much!
__________________