{"id":1335,"date":"2011-03-10T16:24:40","date_gmt":"2011-03-10T16:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/psf.2ss.net\/?p=1335"},"modified":"2020-03-02T18:53:42","modified_gmt":"2020-03-02T18:53:42","slug":"daytime-television-star-to-play-brick-in-tennessee-williams-cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-at-psf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pashakespeare.org\/press\/daytime-television-star-to-play-brick-in-tennessee-williams-cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-at-psf\/","title":{"rendered":"Daytime television star to play Brick in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at PSF"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival\u2019s 21st\u00a0season will feature daytime television star\u00a0Tom Degnan\u00a0<\/strong>in the role of Brick Pollitt in Tennessee William\u2019s Pulitzer Prize winning classic,\u00a0Cat on a Hot Tin Roof<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Best known for playing Joey Buchanan in\u00a0One Life to Live,\u00a0<\/em>Degnan also portrayed young Harry in the 2009 film\u00a0Handsome Harry\u00a0<\/em>with Jamey Sheridan and Steve Buscemi. Born in nearby Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Degnan appeared in\u00a0As the World Turns\u00a0<\/em>as Adam Munson,\u00a0Law and Order, The Good Wife<\/em>, and\u00a0White Collar<\/em>.<\/p>\n In addition to Brick, Degnan will play Don John in\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing<\/em>, which plays in repertory with\u00a0Cat.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cTom came to us recommended by our Emmy-nominated PSF alum Marnie Schulenburg and had the right stuff for Brick. Apparently, one can\u2019t turn on a television without seeing him: the other day I did just that and there he was,\u201d says\u00a0Patrick Mulcahy<\/strong>, producing artistic director.<\/p>\n Set on a plantation home, a family tries to celebrate the birthday of Big Daddy. Brick (played by Degnan) is Big Daddy\u2019s oldest son and the favored family member. But since the death of his friend Skipper, Brick has distanced himself from his family and his wife Maggie, \u201cthe cat,\u201d and turns to drinking in order to find the \u201cclick\u201d that will make him peaceful.<\/p>\n Directed by\u00a0Thomas Ouellette<\/strong>,\u00a0Cat on a Hot Tin Roof\u00a0<\/em>will play in repertory with William Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing<\/em><\/strong>, featuring the same cast. On the nights when Degnan is not playing the withdrawn Brick, he will play thevillainous Don John in\u00a0Much Ado<\/em>.<\/p>\n Directed by\u00a0James J. Christy<\/strong>, Shakespeare\u2019s spirited comedy offers the tale of two courtships: Beatrice and Benedick continuous quarreling evolves into something deeper, while Claudio and Hero are instantly smitten with one another. However, when Don John, the illegitimate brother of Benedick and Claudio\u2019s superior, grows envious of his brother\u2019s stature, he vows to ruin Claudio and Hero\u2019s happiness once and for all.<\/p>\n Cat on a Hot Tin Roof\u00a0<\/em>will run from July 19\u00a0– August 5\u00a0(with previews July 19\u00a0and 20), while\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing\u00a0<\/em>will run from July 11\u00a0– August 5\u00a0(with previews July 11\u00a0and 12). Both productions will take place on the PSF Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSalesUniversity.<\/p>\n