For the second season in a row, the Key West Players are presenting a drama written by the island's own Tennessee Williams. The American classic, "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," runs through the end of the month at the Waterfront Playhouse. It is considered one of the most important plays of the last 50 years.
Those involved view this production as part of a local commitment, indeed an obligation, to explore Williams, who made his home here.
"The theatre should scream about Tennessee Williams the same way writers scream about Hemingway," says Key West Players president George Gugleotti, who was cast by Tennessee Williams in "Will Mr. Meriwether Return to Memphis," which premiered at the opening of the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center.
"So many of us actually met the man," says Gugleotti.
For director Joan McGillis, "Cat" segues from her involvement in a project earlier this season at Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center, which honored the center's namesake as part of an anniversary celebration.
In the Tennessee Williams tribute, McGillis, who serves as artistic director for the Key West Theatre Festival, directed readings from the icon's letters and other documents.
"The many references Williams made to `Cat' have proved invaluable in my preparation for this production," says McGillis, adding that the Waterfront production is her first Williams play. "There's a history to this play."
The "history" refers to obstacles Williams encountered in early productions of "Cat."
"Specifically, Williams was concerned about the need for sanitization, which made the play palatable to 1950s audiences," says McGillis.
The Waterfront Playhouse production, however, stays true to Williams' original intent. Under McGillis' direction, the piece will be played out for what it is: a ruthless stripping away of a Southern family's social veneer, exposing death, denial, homosexuality and other secrets.
Tickets are $18 and $20. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Info and reservations: 294-5015.
On their way to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans return to the Green Parrot for two nights, this Tuesday and Wednesday, April 18-19, 10-2. The Washington Post described this hot group as "Colorfully garbed champions of Afro-Caribbean Afro-pop, and conjunto music, as well as the sounds of New Orleans, Motown, Memphis, New York and, yes, Milwaukee . . . "
Another dinner cruise and concert aboard the Schooner Appledore to benefit Reef Relief is set for next Saturday, April 22— Earth Day— 9-11 p.m. Dinner will be provided by Salute Ristorante Sul Mare, with wine from Antonia's. The concert will feature singer/songwriter/guitarist Millicent Cummings and Eveready, a popular barbershop quartet. Tickets are $50 and are available from Reef Relief, 201 William St., the Schooner Appledore ticket booth, or by calling 294-3100.