Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Returns to B'way in Spring '08; Debbie Allen Directs

A new all-African-American production of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will play a limited engagement at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, under the direction of performer/choreographer Debbie Allen. Previews begin on February 12 with opening night set for March 6, according to Variety.

Set in a plantation house in Mississippi, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof tells the story of the rivalries and misunderstandings that tear apart a Southern family as it gathers for the 65th birthday of its patriarch, Big Daddy.

Debbie Allen is best known for playing Lydia Grant on TV's Fame, a role which earner her three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe. Allen has directed episodes of a number of TV shows, including Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends, That's So Raven and A Different World, but this production of Williams' classic play will mark her directorial debut on Broadway. As a Broadway performer, Allen has received two Tony nominations. Her credits include Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Ain't Misbehavin' and Raisin. She also choreographed the legendary flop musical version of Carrie.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof first opened on Broadway in March of 1955 and ran a total of 694 performances at the Morosco Theatre. The show has been revived on the Great White Way three times since, in 1974 in 1990 and most recently in 2003 at the Music Box Theatre, starring Ashley Judd, Ned Beatty and Jason Patric.

The cast and creative team for this new production of are still pending announcement.