CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the Richard Rodgers Theatre

(Seen January 23, 2013)

Tennessee Williams modern classic has attracted yet another star to attempt the role of Maggie the cat --- this time, it's Scarlett Johansson, still somewhat fresh from her recent Tony award for A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.  She has the looks and the demeanor for Maggie, but these are superficial for a role of this dimension.  And Benjamin Walker, late of BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, plays Brick almost like a cypher.

But the main problem is director Rob Ashford's decision to dilute Williams' poetry and emotions --- giving us empty passion, instead!   He has filled the play with excessive and intrusive sound effects and music that only diminish and get in the way, reducing the effectiveness of the individual scenes instead of under-scoring them.

The play comes across as a loud, relentless, sterile piece of theatre.